3 imperatives to transform health care in America. You're invited to watch it live

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow.

A sore throat is the primary symptom of pharyngitis — inflammation of the pharynx, or throat. But the terms "sore throat" and "pharyngitis" are often used interchangeably.

The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus usually resolves on its own with at-home care. A bacterial infection, a less common cause of sore throat, requires additional treatment with antibiotic drugs.

Other less common causes of sore throat may require more complex treatment.

Symptoms
References
  1. Sore throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/soreThroats.cfm. Accessed July 23, 2010.
  2. Pharyngitits. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch089/ch089e.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  3. Tonsillopharyngitits. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch090/ch090i.html?qt=tonsillopharyngitis&alt=sh. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  4. Information from your family doctor. Sore throat. American Family Physician. 2006;74:1185.
  5. The difference between a sore throat, strep throat and tonsillitis. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/ear-nose-throat/Pages/The-Difference-Between-a-Sore-Throat-Strep-and-Tonsillitis.aspx. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  6. Seller RH. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
  7. Hoarsesness. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/hoarseness.cfm. Accessed July 23, 2010.
  8. HIV/AIDS and oral health. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/HIV/. Accessed July 28, 2010.
  9. Information from your family doctor: Cytomegalovirus. American Family Physician. 2003;67:526.
  10. Drutz JE. Symptomatic relief of sore throat in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 23, 2010.
  11. Andrographis. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  12. Serrapeptase. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  13. Licorice. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  14. Slippery elm. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  15. Sage. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  16. Reye syndrome. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Reye-Syndrome.aspx. Accessed Aug. 12, 2010.
DS00526 Sept. 25, 2010

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger