Sore Throat: The Basics

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on September 18, 2024
Written by Deanna Altomara
8 min read

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 that hurts most when you swallow is often the first warning sign that you have a cold or that the flu is on the way.  Rarely, it can be a symptom of more serious conditions, so you should watch how it develops. 

Another name for the throat is the pharynx. That’s why a sore throat is sometimes called pharyngitis.

There are two main types of sore throat: 

Acute. This means your sore throat goes away quickly. In most cases, acute sore throats are caused by the cold, flu, or other common illness. They typically last 3-10 days. 

Chronic. If your sore throat lasts longer than that or it keeps coming back after it goes away, it's called chronic.

Sore throats differ based on what part of your throat is affected. Some examples include:

Tonsillitis causes inflammation and soreness of the tonsils, the two small masses of tissue at the back of your throat

Laryngitis is inflammation of your larynx, or voice box, which can also cause your throat to feel sore.

Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection that causes the flap at the entrance of your esophagus, called your epiglottis, to swell. This condition can cause a life-threatening airway blockage.

Croup is a viral infection that mainly affects children. It causes inflammation of the larynx and trachea. 

Each of these types of sore throat will feel different because of the different areas of the throat that are affected. 

 

If you have a sore throat, you might notice:

  • Scratchiness, pain, or irritation in your throat
  • Pain when you speak or swallow
  • Trouble swallowing
  • A scratchy, muffled, or hoarse voice
  • Red, swollen tonsils
  • White spots on your tonsils
  • Swollen glands and lymph nodes on your neck

Most sore throats are caused by infections. If you have an infection, you also might notice:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Aches and pains
  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea or vomiting

There are many causes of sore throat. The most common are bacterial and viral infections like the cold and flu. 

Viral infections

This is the most common cause of a sore throat. It happens when a virus gets in your body and makes you sick.

Some viruses that can cause sore throats are:

  • Common cold
  • COVID-19
  • Flu (influenza)
  • Chickenpox
  • Measles
  • Mono (mononucleosis)
  • Croup

Bacterial infections

Not all infections are caused by viruses. Some are caused by a different type of germ called bacteria. There are many different kinds of bacteria, but the one most likely to cause a sore throat is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), or "strep" for short. Some cases of sinus infections or tonsillitis are also caused by bacteria.

Allergies

Some people get sore throats from allergies. Common culprits include pet dander, dust, and pollen. Allergies can trigger a postnasal drip, which is when mucus drips down your throat. And if you breathe out of your mouth because of a stuffy nose, the dry air also can irritate your throat.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a condition when stomach acid backs up into your throat. You might feel a burning sensation and get a sore throat. Some other signs your sore throat is caused by acid reflux are heartburn, hoarse voice, and a lump-like feeling in your throat.

Smoking or being around people who smoke

Tobacco and other chemicals can irritate your throat, even if you’re only breathing in someone else’s smoke. Plus, smoking raises your risk of getting throat, tongue, or mouth cancer.

Other things that can cause a sore throat include:

Dry air. This can dry out your throat, making it feel scratchy.

Mouth breathing. Breathing through your mouth, usually when you’re asleep or have a stuffy nose, also can dry your throat out.

Pollution. Chemicals in the air can irritate your throat.

Spicy foods. Eating spicy foods can trigger a sore throat.

Overuse. Shouting, talking loudly, and singing can tire out your throat muscles, causing them to feel sore.

Some cancers. Tumors in your throat or tongue can cause a sore throat. Keep an eye out for hoarseness, trouble swallowing, loud breathing, a lump on your neck, and blood in your spit or phlegm. 

Your doctor will probably start by looking at your throat with a tiny flashlight. They may also check your nose and ears. Then, they’ll feel the sides of your neck for any lumps, which can be a sign of swollen lymph nodes. The doctor also will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs as you breathe.

If your doctor thinks you might have strep throat, they’ll do a throat swab. This is when they brush a sterile swab (like a long Q-tip) against the back of your throat. Then, they test the swab to see if it picked up any of the bacteria that cause strep throat. You’ll probably get a result in a few minutes from a rapid antigen test, but will need to wait a day or two for the results to be finalized with a more reliable test called a throat culture.

The way you treat a sore throat depends on what is causing it. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, which usually go away on their own in 5–7 days. Antibiotics won’t fix this kind of infection. But in the meantime, you can take over-the-counter medications to help ease the soreness.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for sore throat

Medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve fevers and pain. If your child is sick, look for a children’s version of these drugs. Don’t give aspirin to children or teens as it can cause life-threatening swelling in the liver and brain.

If your sore throat is caused by allergies, antihistamines might help. These OTC drugs decrease allergic reactions.

Prescription mouthwash for sore throat

If you have a severe sore throat from cancer, ask your doctor about getting a special mouthwash. Also known as “magic mouthwash,” this treatment contains painkilling drugs like lidocaine or Benadryl.

Antibiotics for sore throat

If you have strep throat, antibiotics can help. These are medicines that kill bacteria, including the bacteria that causes strep throat. They don’t work on viruses.

If your doctor gives you a prescription for an antibiotic, follow their directions carefully. Ask them what to do if you accidentally forget a dose. Keep taking the medication as directed until you have used all of it, even if you start to feel better. Stopping antibiotics too soon can cause the infection to get worse.

Medications for GERD sore throat

To treat a sore throat caused by acid reflux, you’ll probably need antacids. Some are available over the counter. Or you can talk to your doctor about getting prescription-strength medication. There are also small lifestyle changes that can help, like not eating a big meal before bed.

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, which means there’s no immediate cure. But in the meantime, there are a few easy things you can do to help feel better.

You can:

Rest. Give your body a chance to recharge so it can fight off any infection you might have. Resting will also give your throat muscles time to repair after shouting or singing.

Stay hydrated. This will keep your throat moist so it won’t feel so scratchy. Focus on getting plenty of water. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can dehydrate you.

Eat or drink something warm. Warm liquids can feelsoothing for your sore throat. For an extra comfort boost, add honey to your tea—but don’t give any to babies under 1 year old.

Eat something cool. Ice pops or ice water can help soothe your throat and reduce inflammation.

Gargle. Try gargling a cup of warm water with a half teaspoon of salt. The salt brings down inflammation, which can cause redness and swelling. This tip works for adults and kids ages 6 and older.

Turn up the humidity. Dry air can aggravate a sore throat, so try using a cool-air humidifier. If you don’t have one, you can sit in a steamy bathroom after a hot shower.

Enjoy a hard candy or lozenge. This causes your mouth to release saliva (spit), which can moisturize a sore throat. Don’t give hard candies or lozenges to children under 5 years old.

Try alternative medicine. Some people say that herbal teas, sprays, or lozenges help them feel better. Popular varieties include licorice root, slipper elm, and marshmallow root. Talk to your doctor before trying any herbal products or supplements.

Avoid triggers. Stay away from cigarette smoke, cleaning products, spicy foods, very hot drinks, and other things that can irritate your throat.

It’s time to go to the doctor if you’re in severe pain, the sore throat doesn’t go away within a week, or it keeps coming back. Other signs to get medical care are:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Trouble opening your mouth
  • Hoarse voice that won’t go away
  • A lump in the back of your throat
  • Blood in your spit or phlegm
  • Fever of 100.4 F or higher
  • Earache
  • Puffiness in your neck or face
  • A lump on your neck
  • Joint pain
  • Rash

Get immediate help if your child has:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Unusual drooling

To help prevent a sore throat, you can:

Get vaccinated. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, including influenza and COVID-19. Stay up-to-date with your flu shot and any other recommended vaccines.

Wash your hands regularly. Make sure to do this after using the bathroom, after sneezing or coughing, and before and after eating. Wash for 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. If there’s no soap or water around, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

Don’t touch your face. Your hands come into contact with a lot of germs, and touching your face gives them an easy ride into your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Don’t share cups, forks, or other utensils. Germs can spread through saliva (spit), even if you can’t see any.

Be careful when touching public or shared items. Use a cleaning wipe to disinfect phones, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and other commonly shared items. When using public phones or drinking fountains, make sure you don’t touch them with your mouth.

Avoid spending time with people who are sick. This can lower the chances that you’ll get sick too. And if you’re sick, stay home and rest to protect others.

Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19. Antibiotics won’t help these infections, but they tend to go away on their own in about a week. In the meantime, try home remedies like drinking hot tea with honey, gargling salt water, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. If your sore throat is severe or doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor about what could be causing it and possible treatments.