Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

Understanding Sore Throat - the Basics

What Is Sore Throat?

Everyone knows what a sore throat feels like. It is one of the most common health complaints, particularly during the colder months of the year, when respiratory diseases are at their peak. Typically the raw, scratchy, burning feeling at the back of your throat is the first sign you'll have of a cold or the flu on the way. But a sore throat can also be the first symptom of more serious conditions, so you should watch how it develops and call your doctor if there are any signs that you have more than the run-of-the-mill type.