Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment Of A Sore Throat

A sore throat is characterized by scratchiness, irritation or pain in the throat. The condition often becomes worse when the infected person swallows. A sore throat is most commonly caused by a viral infection such as a cold or the flu. Most symptoms of a sore throat will resolve with general home care. When a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, it is known as strep throat or a streptococcal infection. The following is a list of symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

10. Symptoms

The symptoms of a sore throat depend on what type of infection has occurred. General symptoms may include a scratchy or painful sensation in the throat that gets worse when talking or swallowing, sore and swollen glands in the neck and jaw, white patches or pus on the tonsils, a hoarse or raspy voice, swollen and red tonsils, and difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms may include a fever, cough, body aches, headache, vomiting or nausea, sneezing, and a runny nose.

9. Causes

A sore throat is most commonly due to a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu. Illnesses associated with a viral infection include measles, chickenpox, croup, mononucleosis or mono, a common cold, and influenza. Bacterial infections are less common and are most likely caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, which is the same infection that causes strep throat. Other less common causes of a sore throat may include allergies, irritants, dryness, tumors, HIV infection, and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.