Sore Throat On One Side: 9 Causes And When To See A Doctor

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhy is one side of my throat sore?

Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Jennifer Berry — Updated on April 10, 2025

Swollen lymph nodes
Postnasal drip
Tonsillitis
Peritonsillar abscess
Injury
GERD
Hand, foot, and mouth disease
Vocal cord lesions
Tumors
Seeking help
FAQ
Summary

A sore throat is a common symptom of many conditions. However, some causes, such as swollen lymph nodes and direct injury, may only affect one side of the throat.

There are many possible reasons for one side of the throat feeling sore, and it may not always be clear what the root cause is.

In this article, we look at possible causes of a sore throat on one side. We also discuss when to see a doctor.

Swollen lymph nodes

A person holding one side of their neck — Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images

The body’s lymph nodes act as filters, helping to identify and trap germs such as viruses and bacteria before they can affect other areas. As they do this, the lymph nodes may swell up and become sore.

The lymph nodes closest to the throat are on either side of the neck. Sometimes only one node in the area is sore, which can cause a sore throat on one side.

Some conditions that may lead to swollen lymph nodes include:

a cold or flu
strep throat or tonsillitis
an ear infection
an infected tooth or tooth abscess
mononucleosis (mono)
cancer
HIV
skin conditions or bug bites

»Learn more about swollen lymph nodes

Postnasal drip

During nasal congestion, mucus and fluid drain down the back of the throat. This is known as postnasal drip. Continual drainage can irritate the throat, leading to a feeling of soreness or scratchiness.

This drainage may cause irritation and soreness in a specific part of throat and may feel like one side is raw and inflamed.

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Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis describes inflammation of one or more tonsils. The tonsils are at the back of the throat, and a virus or bacterium usually causes the infection and inflammation.

An infection in just one tonsil can cause pain on one side. It may also cause a fever, trouble swallowing, and noisy breathing.

Peritonsillar abscess

An abscess is a contained, pus-filled lump within the tissue. A bacterial infection usually causes it.

A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues near the tonsils. It may cause intense pain on one side of the throat, as well as:

ear pain on the side of the abscess
difficulty opening the mouth
trouble swallowing
swollen lymph nodes
fever

A person with a peritonsillar abscess requires urgent medical care. In severe cases, it can interfere with breathing.

Injury to the throat

Many things can injure the back of the mouth or throat, including:

burns from hot food or liquid
food with sharp edges, such as chips or crackers
endotracheal intubation, which is the insertion of a tube down the throat to help with breathing

If one side of the throat is sore from scraping or burning, gargling with warm salt water may help to soothe symptoms.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that causes the stomach’s contents, including stomach acid, to back up into the food pipe and throat.

GERD may be worse at night and when lying down. If stomach acid backs up when a person is lying on their side, it may lead to soreness on one side of the throat.

If GERD goes untreated for too long, it can damage the food pipe and throat.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease, and other sores

As the name implies, this viral illness usually causes sores to form on the hands, feet, and mouth. Sores can develop in the back of the mouth, near the sides of the throat, and one side may be more affected than the other.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in children under 5 years of age, but it can also affect older children and adults.

In adults, other types of sores, such as aphthous ulcers, are more common and can often cause one-sided symptoms.

Vocal cord lesions

Overusing or misusing the voice can lead to lesions or nodules on the vocal cords. A lesion may form on one side, causing one area of the throat to be sore. However, not all people who damage the vocal folds will experience pain.

A person with a vocal cord lesion will usually notice a change in their voice, such as hoarseness.

These types of lesions are usually treatable. Resting the voice and vocal therapy are typically used to correct vocal cord lesions. In some cases, lesions will require surgery.

Tumors

While they are among the least common causes of a sore throat, cancer can affect the throat and surrounding areas. They may be benign or cancerous.

A tumor can cause soreness on one side of the throat. It may occur on the tonsils, in the back of the throat or tongue or in the larynx, which is commonly known as the voice box.

Usually, a tumor will also lead to symptoms that do not occur with common infections and illnesses, such as blood in the saliva and unexplained weight loss.

»Learn more about throat cancer

When to contact a doctor

If a throat is sore on one side, the cause is usually a minor viral infection, such as the common cold. These often get better on their own.

However, it is important to see a doctor if the following symptoms also appear:

severe pain
difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing
swollen lymph nodes that get bigger as the sore throat feels better
fever
pus in the back of the throat
body aches or joint pain
an earache
a rash
blood in the mouth
coughing up blood
a lump in the neck
a sore throat that goes away and comes back

Get immediate help if a person has difficulty breathing or if a child under 3 has a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or above.

FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions relating to soreness in one side of the throat.

Why is one lymph node swollen?

Swelling on one side of the throat can occur due to localized damage or injury, infection, tumors, or other causes. People should speak with a doctor if swelling does not go away.

Can a person have a swollen lymph node but not be sick?

Yes. Sometimes the lymph nodes swell to fight infections, but a person does not develop any other symptoms.Swelling on one side of the throat may also occur due to localized damage rather than an illness. People can speak with a healthcare professional for a diagnosis.

Yes. Sometimes the lymph nodes swell to fight infections, but a person does not develop any other symptoms.

Swelling on one side of the throat may also occur due to localized damage rather than an illness. People can speak with a healthcare professional for a diagnosis.

What should you do if one side of your throat hurts?

Treatment for soreness on one side of the throat will depend on its cause. In cases of injury, pain medications and rest are often suitable, whereas bacterial infections may require antibiotics. However, more severe causes may require medical interventions.

Summary

There are many reasons why a person may feel soreness in only one side of their throat. Direct injury to a specific area, localized infections, and swollen lymph nodes may all cause irritation and discomfort on one side of the throat but not the other.

Treatment for a sore throat will depend on the cause. It is important to seek medical assistance if throat pain becomes unbearable or persists for several days.

Read the article in Spanish

Respiratory
Ear, Nose, and Throat
Flu / Cold / SARS
GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology

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.

Anderson J, et al. (2023). Tonsilitis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544342/
Gupta G, et al. (2023). Peritonsillar abscess. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519520/
Head and neck cancer. (2021). https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/head-neck-fact-sheet
HFMD symptoms and complications. (2024). https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/signs-symptoms/
Lymph nodes and cancer. (2023). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/lymph-nodes-and-cancer.html
Sore throat basics. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/sore-throat/about/

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Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Jennifer Berry — Updated on April 10, 2025

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Tag » When I Yawn My Throat Hurts

Sore Throat On One Side: 9 Causes And When To See A Doctor

Swollen lymph nodes

Postnasal drip

Tonsillitis

Peritonsillar abscess

Injury to the throat

GERD

Hand, foot, and mouth disease, and other sores

Vocal cord lesions

Tumors

When to contact a doctor

FAQ

Why is one lymph node swollen?

Can a person have a swollen lymph node but not be sick?

What should you do if one side of your throat hurts?

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

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