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Understanding Sore Throat -- the Basics

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Everyone knows what a sore throat feels like. It’s one of the most common health complaints, particularly during the colder months of the year, when respiratory diseases are at their peak.

The raw, scratchy, burning feeling at the back of your throat is often the first warning sign that you have a cold, or that the flu is on the way. But it can also be the first symptom of more serious conditions, so you should watch how it develops.

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Call your doctor if your sore throat feels worse or lasts longer than the run-of-the-mill type.

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