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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough anyone can get a sore throat, some factors make you more susceptible. These factors include:
- Age. Children and teens are most likely to develop sore throats. Children are also more likely to have strep throat, the most common bacterial infection associated with a sore throat.
- Tobacco. Smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate the throat. The use of tobacco products also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box.
- Allergies. If you have seasonal allergies or ongoing allergic reactions to dust, molds or pet dander, you're more likely to develop a sore throat than are people who don't have allergies.
- Exposure to chemical irritants. Particulate matter in the air from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as common household chemicals, can cause throat irritation.
- Chronic or frequent sinus infections. Chronic or frequent sinus infections increase the risk of sore throat, because drainage from the nose can irritate the throat or spread infection.
- Living or working in close quarters. Viral and bacterial infections spread easily anywhere people gather — child care centers, classrooms, offices, prisons and military installations.
- Lowered immunity. You're more susceptible to infections in general if your resistance is low. Common causes of lowered immunity include HIV, diabetes, treatment with steroids or chemotherapy drugs, stress, fatigue, and poor diet.
References
- Sore throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/soreThroats.cfm. Accessed July 23, 2010.
- Pharyngitits. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch089/ch089e.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- 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.
- Information from your family doctor. Sore throat. American Family Physician. 2006;74:1185.
- 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.
- Seller RH. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
- Hoarsesness. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/hoarseness.cfm. Accessed July 23, 2010.
- HIV/AIDS and oral health. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/HIV/. Accessed July 28, 2010.
- Information from your family doctor: Cytomegalovirus. American Family Physician. 2003;67:526.
- Drutz JE. Symptomatic relief of sore throat in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 23, 2010.
- Andrographis. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Serrapeptase. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Licorice. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Slippery elm. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Sage. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 27, 2010.
- Reye syndrome. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Reye-Syndrome.aspx. Accessed Aug. 12, 2010.
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