What makes a sore throat

It can be caused by a variety of ailments. Most of us will be affected by some of these ailments at some point in our lifetimes. Throat pain can make it difficult to eat and drink. If severe enough, swallowing problems can lead to weight loss or other problems.

This article will cover the different causes of throat pain and explain when you should see a doctor. It will also offer suggestions for easing a sore throat. There are many possible causes of a sore throat.

Some of the most common include:. Less commonly, herpangina , measles , and chickenpox may cause a sore throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. It can cause severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing.

The tonsils may also become very swollen. A bacteria called Arcanobacterium haemolyticum can also cause throat pain as well as a rash. Bacterial causes of throat pain need to be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, strep throat complications can include heart or kidney damage.

Your sinuses are a set of hollow cavities in your skull. Bacteria, viruses, and even fungus can infect the sinuses and cause post-nasal drip.

This is when mucus runs down the back of the throat. The infected mucus can cause a sore throat. Dust, mold, or dander allergies can cause post-nasal drip that contributes to a sore throat.

Stomach acid can enter the esophagus, back of the throat, and mouth while you are sleeping. That's why a sore throat caused by acid reflux is often worse in the morning. Nighttime acid reflux can also wear away the protective enamel on teeth.

Irritation from dry air, chemicals, or cigarette smoke can cause a sore throat. This can be made worse by breathing with your mouth open. Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box. This can happen when you overuse your voice.

Laryngitis can be a problem for singers and other people who use their voices as part of their work. The condition also causes hoarseness and pain when talking. Intubation is a procedure where a breathing tube is inserted into the airway. This can cause irritation that leads to throat pain. Breathing tubes are used during surgery or due to illness or injury.

The pain is temporary and will usually go away a day or two after the tube is removed. Throat surgeries like thyroidectomy , or removal of the thyroid, can also cause throat pain. Medical procedures like esophagogastroduodenoscopy EGD may cause throat pain. During an EGD, an endoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the throat.

This procedure is also called an upper endoscopy. Tumors or other growths associated with throat cancer can cause throat pain. This is not a common cause of sore throat. Other causes are much more likely. Sore throat can have many causes.

Viral and bacterial infections, allergies, acid reflux, and environmental irritants are all potential causes of throat pain.

If your sore throat lasts more than a week and you do not know its cause, see a doctor. Your doctor will need to rule out serious conditions that might lead to dangerous health problems.

If your throat pain is caused by an infection, you will probably have other symptoms. These may include:. See a doctor if you have extreme pain or severe swelling of the tonsils.

Throat pain accompanied by a rash is often bacterial. A doctor can decide if you need antibiotics. It is hard to tell the difference between bacterial and viral throat pain. Strep throat can lead to serious complications if left untreated, so when in doubt, get tested.

Almost any healthcare provider can perform a strep test. This includes family practitioners and urgent care providers. A sore throat with post-nasal drip is rarely cause for concern. Still, if lasts longer than a few weeks, you should see a doctor. Your family doctor is a good place to start, but you may also need to see an allergist.

An allergist can determine if allergies are the cause of your sore throat. If you have throat pain that is worse in the morning or is accompanied by stomach pain and heartburn , it could be acid reflux. This requires a doctor's diagnosis.

It is not an emergency, but it does need to be treated. Family doctors and general practitioners often diagnose acid reflux. They can perform diagnostic tests or refer you to a specialist if needed.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications can treat throat pain related to acid reflux. It is still important to see a healthcare provider for an initial diagnosis, though.

This will help rule out any serious conditions. Throat pain that happens just after you have had general anesthesia or a breathing tube inserted is probably not cause for concern.

If the pain does not go away within a few days, though, you may want to contact your doctor. Some surgeries, such as a thyroidectomy, can cause throat pain on their own, so keep this in mind.

The following conditions are actual emergencies. Call or go to the emergency room if you have throat pain with:. Many sore throats can be treated at home. If your throat pain lasts more than a week or it is hard to swallow or breathe, see a doctor. There are many different ways to diagnose throat pain. A throat culture is a test where the back of the throat is brushed with a long cotton swab.

The swab is usually sent to a laboratory to be analyzed for bacteria. If it is a rapid strep test, you will get immediate results. Rapid strep tests can sometimes produce false negatives. For this reason, the throat culture is usually sent to the lab for further testing. You may get a call in a day or two to confirm a strep throat diagnosis. A sore throat that is caused by sinusitis or infections of the nasal passageways may be diagnosed with a throat culture.

The clinician may also take samples of your sputum , which is the material you cough up. Blood tests or allergy skin tests can tell a doctor if your sore throat is caused by allergies. During a skin test, a clinician exposes you to an allergen—something you may be allergic to—through a tiny scratch in your skin.

If you are allergic, you will have a reaction. Blood tests can also look for antibodies immune system proteins to specific allergens. The results of skin testing are available immediately. Blood test results may take a few days. A trial of acid reflux medication can help your doctor find the cause of your sore throat. If you respond to the medication, your doctor may diagnose you with acid reflux.

Similarly, a trial of antihistamine medication can help your doctor diagnose allergies. This may be done before allergy testing. Medical imaging including computed tomography CT scans , ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging MRI scans can be used to diagnose throat pain. This may be done if the suspected cause is a lump or growth, or sinusitis. Acid reflux and similar problems are often diagnosed with an upper endoscopy. Another test that can be used is a barium swallow.

During this test, you will be asked to drink a thick solution containing barium. Gargle with the solution, then spit it out do not swallow it. Repeat as often as you like. Video: how to treat a sore throat This video shows you how to treat a sore throat.

Media last reviewed: 1 June Media review due: 1 June Information: Call your pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. Find a pharmacy. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. Immediate action required: Call if:. If your child has repeated infections of the tonsils tonsillitis , a tonsillectomy may be considered. Read more about treating tonsillitis. If you are years of age with a persistent sore throat, you may have glandular fever also known as infectious mononucleosis, or mono.

This is a type of viral infection with symptoms that can last up to six weeks. A persistent sore throat can also be a symptom of some types of cancer, such as throat cancer. This type of cancer is rare and mainly affects people over the age of In the UK every year, 5, people are diagnosed with cancer of the oropharynx the area at the back of your throat or mouth. Read more about mouth cancer. In some cases, a sore throat may be caused by substances that irritate the throat.

Sources can include:. You may find that avoiding these substances, or seeking treatment for an allergy or GORD, can help to reduce symptoms of a sore throat.

If you smoke, giving up will reduce irritation to your throat and strengthen your defences against infection. The Quit Your Way Scotland service can offer you advice and encouragement to help you quit smoking. Phone Quit Your Way Scotland free on 84 84 84 8. Your GP or pharmacist will also be able to give you help and advice about giving up smoking, or you can read more about quitting smoking.

If you have a sore throat caused by an infection, you can help prevent the infection spreading by practising good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly and keeping surfaces clean and free of germs.

Home Illnesses and conditions Ears, nose and throat Sore throat. Sore throat See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About sore throats 2. Causes of a sore throat 3. Treating a sore throat. About sore throats Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. Most are caused by minor illnesses such as colds or flu and can be treated at home.

Treatments for a sore throat The following measures can often help soothe a sore throat: take ibuprofen or paracetamol — paracetamol is better for children and for people who can't take ibuprofen note that children under 16 should never take aspirin drink plenty of cool or warm fluids, and avoid very hot drinks eat cool, soft foods avoid smoking and smoky places gargle with a homemade mouthwash of warm, salty water suck lozenges, hard sweets, ice cubes or ice lollies — but don't give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking There are also products such as medicated lozenges and sprays sold in pharmacies that you may want to try.

Sore throat self-help guide If you have a sore throat, complete our self-help guide to assess your symptoms and find out what to do next. Causes of a sore throat The cause of a sore throat isn't always obvious. Common causes A sore throat is often a symptom of: colds or flu — you may also have a blocked or runny nose, a cough , a high temperature fever , a headache and general aches laryngitis inflammation of the voice box — you may also have a hoarse voice, a dry cough and a constant need to clear your throat tonsillitis inflammation of the tonsils — you may also have red or spotty tonsils, discomfort when swallowing and a fever strep throat a bacterial throat infection — you may also have swollen glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing and tonsillitis glandular fever — you may also feel very tired and have a fever and swollen glands in your neck It may also be caused by something irritating your throat, such as smoke, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease where acid leaks up from the stomach and allergies.

Less common causes Less often, a sore throat can be a sign of: quinsy a painful collection of pus at the back of the throat — the pain may be severe and you may also have difficulty opening your mouth or difficulty swallowing epiglottitis inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat — the pain may be severe and you may have difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing These conditions are more serious and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible see below.

Pharmacy First Scotland: Sore throat treatment from your pharmacy If you have a sore throat you can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy. Find your local pharmacy on Scotland's Service Directory.

You don't usually need to get medical advice if you have a sore throat however your pharmacist may advise you see your GP if: your symptoms are severe you have persistent symptoms that haven't started to improve after a week you experience severe sore throats frequently you have a weak immune system — for example, you have HIV , are having chemotherapy , or are taking medication that suppresses your immune system If they're not open, you should phone the NHS 24 service If you have a persistent sore throat one that lasts three to four weeks , you should see your GP who may refer you for further tests.

Causes of a sore throat A sore throat is often just one symptom of a bacterial or viral infection, such as the common cold. Catching an infection The bacterium or virus that causes a sore throat is usually caught from someone else who is already infected.