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Causes and treatments for a sore throat

Almost everyone has woken up with a sore throat at one point or another. But, what are the common causes of a sore throat, and what can you do about it? Read on to learn about common causes and treatments to avoid feeling that pain when you swallow.

Causes of Sore Throat

• Allergies: Many allergies including pet dander, dust, molds and pollen allergies can cause sneezing and a sore throat.
 
• Breathing through your mouth: Breathing through you mouth can dry out your throat leading to irritation and discomfort.
 
• Common cold: Sore throats are a particularly common symptom of the common cold.
 
• Croup: This viral infection is most common in children and involves a severe cough that can be accompanied by or lead to a sore throat.
 
• Endotracheal intubation: In certain treatments, it may be necessary to insert a tube into your throat causing your throat to be sore following the procedure.
 
• Influenza: The common flu can cause you to have a sore throat.
 
• Mononucleosis: Also known as mono, this viral infection can lead to a sore throat.
 
• Muscle strain: Although you might not have thought about it, your throat has muscles that can become strained just like any other muscle in your body. As a result, excessive yelling, or loud speaking can cause a sore throat.
 
• Strep throat: The streptococcus bacteria infects your throat and often causes a fever in addition to a sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
 
• Surgery: Certain surgeries including tonsillectomy (removing your tonsils) and adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoid glands) can cause your throat to be sore.
 
• Tumors: While most sore throats don’t signify cancer, a sore throat can be a sign of throat or larynx cancer or tongue cancer.
 
• Viral pharyngitis: This virus causes your pharynx, an area in the back of your throat directly between the voice box and tonsils, to become inflamed.
 

Symptoms Associated with a Sore Throat

Not sure what a sore throat is? These are some common symptoms associated with a sore throat.

• Scratchy sensation in the throat
 
• Difficulty swallowing
 
• Dry throat
 
• Swollen or sore glands in neck or jaw
 
• Tonsil changes, such as tonsils that
  • Become swollen or red
   
  • Have white patches or pus
   
• Muffled or hoarse voice
 
• Refusal to eat: In toddlers and infants, this is a common symptom associated with a sore throat.
 

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