Sore Throat: Causes, Symptoms, And When To See A Doctor

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Medical News TodaySubscribeHow to deal with a sore throat

Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — Written by Valencia Higuera — Updated on February 18, 2025

Causes
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Diagnosis
Treatment
Home remedies
Prevention
Outlook
Summary

Tips for soothing a sore or scratchy throat include using a humidifier, sucking on popsicles, and taking honey. However, some people may require medical treatment.

Common causes include a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, and a bacterial infection. Most sore throats are not serious, but severe symptoms can make breathing difficult.

How a person deals with a sore throat depends on its severity and cause. Usually, home remedies can soothe the discomfort until it goes away. However, sometimes, medical treatment is necessary.

Causes

A person sipping a hot drink to soothe a sore throat. — Liliya Krueger/Getty Images

Viruses and bacteria are two common causes of sore throats.

Viruses

Many sore throats are due to viral infections, such as:

common colds
influenza
the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) may lead to infectious mononucleosis, which is sometimes known as glandular fever or mono
COVID-19

Bacteria

Strep throat is a common type of throat infection due to exposure to a strain of Streptococcus bacterium.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strep throat accounts for 30% of sore throats in children and around 10% in adults.

The person may need antibiotics to fight the infection and prevent complications. Without treatment, strep throat can increase the risk of rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation in children.

Other causes

Other common causes of a sore throat include:

allergies
irritation due to dry heat, pollutants, or chemicals
reflux, which is when stomach acids come up into the back of the throat
cold air

More severe but less common conditions that can involve a sore throat include:

HIV infection
tumors of the throat, tongue, or larynx
epiglottitis

A note on epiglottitis
Epiglottitis is a rare but potentially dangerous throat infection where inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis can close the airway, making it difficult to breathe.
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. If a child or adult has the following symptoms, they need immediate medical attention:
a severely sore throat
difficulty swallowing and breathing
a high pitched sound when breathing in
drooling
skin that looks blue, or gray in darker skin, due to a lack of oxygen

Symptoms

A person may experience a scratchy sensation in the throat or pain that becomes worse when swallowing or talking.

The accompanying symptoms can vary depending on the exact cause. Other symptoms that might accompany a sore throat include:

difficulty swallowing
sore or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or jaw area
swollen red tonsils
a hoarse or muffled voice
coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose
fever

If a person is experiencing a sore throat due to a virus or bacteria called group A Streptococcus, or strep throat, the accompanying symptoms might be similar. However, according to the CDC, the following symptoms might suggest that the cause is viral:

cough
runny nose
voice hoarseness
conjunctivitis

Strep throat is more common in children than in adults. The exact symptoms depend on the age, but, as well as a sore throat, they may include:

a fever
tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
an irritated mood
a reduced appetite
swollen tonsils with signs of pus
small red spots on the roof of the mouth
a headache
abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, especially in children

People with strep throat often have pain and fever without a cough.

When to speak with a doctor

Most sore throats go away on their own and home treatment is usually sufficient. Sometimes, however, medical treatment is necessary.

A person should speak with a doctor if they have the following symptoms:

symptoms that worsen or do not get better within a few days
breathing difficulties
swallowing difficulties
blood in the saliva or phlegm
dehydration
rash
excessive drooling, in young children
joint swelling
joint pain

Diagnosis

A doctor will ask a person about their symptoms and perform a physical examination. They may also take a swap sample to identify the cause. The doctor can take a sample by touching the back of the throat and tonsils with a cotton-tipped applicator.

They may use a swap to see if group A Streptococcus is causing the infection. If the test is negative but the doctor still suspects strep throat, they may send a sample to a lab for a culture test, to see if bacteria grow over time. If the strep test is positive, a person may need prescription antibiotics.

EBV test

If a doctor suspects EBV, they can recommend a blood test to confirm the condition.

Other causes

Sometimes, a sore throat can develop for another reason, such as a tumor. If the problem does not go away, the doctor will perform more tests to find the cause.

Sore throat treatment

Most sore throats resolve without treatment, but this will depend on the cause.

If a sore throat is due to a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. People should always take the complete course, even if they feel better before finishing all the medication.

Sore throats due to a viral infection do not usually need medical treatment. Acetaminophen or mild pain relievers may help with the pain and fever, and children can use pediatric versions of these medications. A pharmacist can advise which ones to use and correct dosages.

It is important always to follow the instructions on any medication and not to take more than the guidelines suggest.

If tests reveal a tumor or another cause, the doctor will discuss appropriate treatment options with the individual.

Home remedies

A few home care strategies may help relieve sore throat symptoms, including:

getting plenty of rest
drinking plenty of fluids to keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration
using a humidifier or vaporizer
having cold treats, such as popsicles
gargling with warm, saltwater
using honey to soothe a sore throat, except for children under 12 months
lozenges or hard candy to soothe a sore throat and a cough for children over 2 years and adults

Honey is not safe for children aged under 1 year due to the risk of botulism, a type of food poisoning.

Learn more about 15 natural remedies for a sore throat.

Soothing drinks for a sore throat

Consuming warm liquids can help ease the discomfort from a sore throat.

Drinks that people may consume include:

warm lemon or water with honey
ginger tea
green tea

A 2019 study concluded that some herbal teas may help manage the symptoms of pharyngitis due to strep throat. These teas included:

licorice
barberry
thyme
oregano

Zinc lozenges

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says zinc lozenges may help manage a common cold if people start using them within 24 hours of symptoms appearing.

However, the NCCIH advises people not to use zinc lozenges for more than 2 weeks. Individuals should also avoid nasal zinc products, as these may lead to a permanent and severe loss of smell.

Zinc may also interact with antibiotics, penicillamine, and other drugs.

Always check with a doctor or health professional before taking any alternative remedies to make sure they are safe to use and will not interact with another medication.

Learn more about home remedies for a sore throat.

Prevention

Some simple steps can help prevent infections that cause a sore throat.

For example:

Wash the hands often, including after sneezing and coughing.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are unavailable.
Cough or sneeze into a tissue, throw it away, and immediately wash both hands.
Avoid touching the nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who have an infection and stay away from others if you have an infection.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as tabletops.
Follow a diet and exercise plan that helps boost overall health.
Seek advice on COVID-19 testing if symptoms may indicate a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Outlook

A sore throat can be uncomfortable, but most are not serious and usually go away without treatment. Home remedies and over-the-counter medication can soothe the symptoms.

However, a person should speak with a doctor if symptoms are severe or persistent or they have difficulty breathing. If it is due to a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

Summary

There are many different causes of a sore throat, with bacterial infections and viral infections being common.

The treatment a person requires depends on the underlying cause. For example, antibiotics can treat a bacterial infection. A person can also take pain killers to relieve a sore throat, alongside natural treatment options such as hot drinks, taking honey, or sucking on ice chips.

Allergy
Ear, Nose, and Throat
Flu / Cold / SARS
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

About strep throat. (2024). https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/about/strep-throat.html
Sore throat basics. (2024). https://www.cdc.gov/sore-throat/about/index.html
Wijesundara NM, et al. (2019). Herbal tea for the management of pharyngitis: Inhibition of Streptococcus pyogenes growth and biofilm formation by herbal infusions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6783935/
The common cold and complementary health approaches: What the science says. (2020).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/the-common-cold-and-complementary-health-approaches-science

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Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — Written by Valencia Higuera — Updated on February 18, 2025

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