Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesLifestyle Risk FactorsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Common causes of a sore throat include infections, allergens, cancer, cigarette smoke, and dry air. Even the simple act of shouting or singing loudly can injure your throat, causing pain and inflammation. And sometimes, seemingly unrelated health issues, such as acid reflux, can also cause a sore throat.
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Thepharynxis the cavity behind the nose and mouth that leads to your stomach and lungs. It is a common target for infection and irritation that cause asore throat.
You might know the cause of your sore throat, either because of an accompanyingsymptomor an injury, but sometimes you may need to see a healthcare professional for a diagnosis. Here are the most typical causes of a sore throat, ranging from minor, localized infections to more serious, systemic disease:
What to Do for a Dry Throat
Viral Infections
Tonsillitiscan also develop.
Other viral infections associated with pharyngitis include:
While certain viral infections, like HSV, can be treated with antiviral drugs, many others (including measles,mononucleosis, and the common cold) don’t have a cure and often resolve on their own.
Does COVID-19 Cause a Sore Throat?
Bacterial Infections
A number of bacterial infections can cause a sore throat. One of the most common isStreptococcus pyogenes, the bacteria associated withstrep throat(streptococcal pharyngitis). It is thought to account for 10% of sore throats in adults and young children, and up to a third of sore throats in school-age children.
Strep throat is relatively minor, but can sometimes lead to more severe infections or complications. Strep does not cause respiratory symptoms like a cough and congestion.
Symptomsof strep throat can include fever, nausea, vomiting, bad breath, and visible inflammation of the throat.
Less common bacterial throat infections include:
A rapid strep test can screen for strep throat. A throat culture can identify or help rule out a bacterial cause. Antibiotic treatment is based on which bacteria is found.
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Fungal Infections
The most common cause of fungal throat infections isCandida albicans,a type of yeast that causes oral thrush and yeast infection.Infection tends to occur in people who have a suppressed immune system, with the most severe cases often associated withadvanced HIV infection. Other risks include inhaled steroids, wearing dentures, or uncontrolled diabetes.
Oral thrush (oral candidiasis) often doesn’t cause symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to soreness of the mouth, tongue, and throat. When it involves the esophagus, candidiasis is considered serious. Fungal infections like these are treated with antifungal medications.
Allergic Pharyngitis and Postnasal Drip
You may also have postnasal drip as mucus drains from your nasal passages down the back of your throat. This can lead to inflammation of the throat and tonsils if the mucus is infected. Or, you may feel like you have a lump in the back of your throat.
Acid Reflux and GERD
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid or bile backs up toward the throat. These digestive fluids are irritating to the mucosal lining of the pharynx and esophagus and can cause asore throat,particularly when you wake up in the morning or after you’ve been lying down for a while.
Acid reflux occurs for many reasons, including failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to close or ahiatal hernia.
While acid reflux may be the direct result of something you’ve had to eat or drink, it may also be a persistent condition referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When stomach acid frequently gets up to the throat, this is called laryngopharyngeal reflux. Laryngopharyngeal reflux can also cause symptoms of a cough, throat clearing, and a feeling like there is something stuck in the throat, or hoarseness.
Other Couses
Other possible causes of pharyngitis include:
There is no known genetic component for the risk of sore throat, although there may be a genetic predisposition to GERD.
Why Does My Throat Hurt When I Swallow? Causes When You Are or Are Not Sick
Certain risk factors for a sore throat, like your body’s reaction to an allergen, are out of your control. But here are some that you can have some influence over.
Irritants and Toxins
Exposure to certain substances can cause direct inflammation of the pharynx and associated organs. This can include inhaled irritants like air pollution, cigarette smoke, and industrial fumes.
Dry air and a lack of humidity can leave your throat feeling dry and scratchy.
This is common in arid climates. Both hot air and excessive air conditioner use can also cause throat irritation.
Hygiene
Infrequent hand washing makes it easier for you to contract illnesses related to germs you may pick up over the course of your day, including those that raise your risk of respiratory infection and sore throat.
Flu Vaccination
Getting an annual shot can help reduce your risk of influenza.
Settings
Strep throat and colds can easily spread in places where large numbers of people interact, particularly in close quarters, such as military training facilities or college dorms.
According to the CDC, school children and those in daycare centers are prone to colds and the spread of strep throat due to being in groups with other children.Parents may also catch these infections from their kids.
While you may not always be able to avoid this kind of exposure, knowing the risk can help remind you to be diligent about practices that can help you avoid catching illnesses (especially during peak seasons), like hand washing and avoiding drinking fountains.
Use of Your Voice
Yes. Changes in your immune system during pregnancy make youmore susceptible to infectionsthat cause a sore throat.You’re also more likely to experienceheartburnand GERD, in which stomach acids irritate the throat.
How to Treat a Sore Throat
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Addey D, Shephard A.Incidence, causes, severity and treatment of throat discomfort: a four-region online questionnaire survey. BMC Ear Nose Throat Disord. 2012;12:9. doi:10.1186/1472-6815-12-9.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Strep Throat: All You Need to Know
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fungal Diseases.Candidainfections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sore Throat
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)
Adar T, Grisaru-Granovsky S, Ben Ya’acov A, Goldin E, Bar-Gil Shitrit A.Pregnancy and the immune system: general overview and the gastroenterological perspective.Dig Dis Sci. 2015;60(9):2581-2589. doi:10.1007/s10620-015-3683-z
Kundu S, Dutta M, Adhikary BK, Ghosh B.Encountering chronic sore throat: How challenging is it for the otolaryngologists?Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;71(S1):176-181. doi:10.1007%2Fs12070-017-1191-5
MedlinePlus.Subacute thyroiditis.
Engel ME, Stander R, Vogel J, Adeyemo AA, Mayosi BM.Genetic Susceptibility to Acute Rheumatic Fever: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Twin Studies.PLoS One. 6(9):1-6.Hildreth A, Takhar S, Clark M, Hatten B.Evidence-Based Evaluation And Management Of Patients With Pharyngitis In The Emergency Department.Emergency Medicine Practice.15(9): 1-16.Worrall G.Acute Sore Throat. Canadian Family Physician. 57(7):791-794.Addey D, Shephard A.Incidence, Causes, Severity and Treatment of Throat Discomfort: A Four-Region Online Questionnaire Survey.BMC Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders. 2012;12:9. doi:10.1186/1472-6815-12-9.Renner B, Mueller CA, Shephard A.Environmental and Non-Infectious Factors in the Aetiology of Pharyngitis (Sore Throat). Inflammation Research. 2012;61(10):1041-1052. doi:10.1007/s00011-012-0540-9.
Engel ME, Stander R, Vogel J, Adeyemo AA, Mayosi BM.Genetic Susceptibility to Acute Rheumatic Fever: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Twin Studies.PLoS One. 6(9):1-6.
Hildreth A, Takhar S, Clark M, Hatten B.Evidence-Based Evaluation And Management Of Patients With Pharyngitis In The Emergency Department.Emergency Medicine Practice.15(9): 1-16.
Worrall G.Acute Sore Throat. Canadian Family Physician. 57(7):791-794.
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