Sore throat: causes, treatment and urgent signs

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat that can make swallowing uncomfortable.

The discomfort may be mild or sharp and can occur with a dry cough, hoarse voice, swollen neck glands, nasal symptoms, fever, heartburn, or a feeling of mucus at the back of the throat. Looking in the mouth may show redness, but appearance alone does not identify the cause. Note whether symptoms began suddenly, follow a cold, occur after meals, or are linked to voice use.

Seek emergency help if you have trouble breathing, cannot swallow saliva, are drooling, develop swelling of the tongue or throat, or have a muffled voice with rapidly worsening pain. Get prompt medical advice for dehydration, a stiff neck, a spreading rash with fever, severe one-sided throat pain, or symptoms after contact with someone known to have a serious infection. Children who are unusually drowsy or breathing noisily need urgent assessment.

The following causes are alphabetical, not a likelihood ranking. Acid reflux can irritate the throat, sometimes with a sour taste or symptoms after lying down. Allergic rhinitis may cause post-nasal drip and throat irritation. Common cold, COVID-19, influenza, and laryngitis can affect the throat as part of a respiratory illness. Tonsillitis and strep throat can produce painful swallowing and swollen tonsils.

Glandular fever can bring pronounced tiredness and swollen glands. Scarlet fever may include a rash. Diphtheria is a serious infection requiring urgent medical care. A clinician considers the full pattern rather than assuming one cause from throat pain alone.

A clinician asks about symptom timing, cough, fever, exposure to unwell people, travel, vaccination history, reflux, allergies, and medicines. They may look at the mouth and throat, feel the neck glands, listen to breathing, and assess hydration. A throat swab or other test may be used when it would help identify an infection and guide treatment. It is helpful to mention whether you can drink normally and whether pain is on one side.

Warm or cool drinks, adequate fluids, rest, and simple pain relief that is suitable for you can ease many sore throats. Reflux-related symptoms may improve with meal timing and treatment aimed at reflux. Allergy-related post-nasal drip needs a plan for the allergy trigger. Antibiotics are used when a clinician identifies a bacterial infection that needs them; they do not treat viral illnesses. Follow the prescribed course and seek advice about allergy or side effects.

Wash hands after coughing, blowing your nose, or touching shared surfaces, and avoid sharing drinks or utensils when you are unwell. Keep well hydrated, avoid smoking and second-hand smoke, and rest your voice if it is hoarse. If reflux is a pattern, avoid lying down soon after eating and discuss recurring symptoms with a clinician. Managing nasal allergies can also reduce throat irritation from post-nasal drip.

Track fever, cough, nasal discharge, hoarseness, rash, swollen glands, mouth ulcers, heartburn, fatigue, and changes in breathing. Tell a clinician about exposure to infections, recent travel, immune-suppressing medicines, or recurrent episodes. These details help determine whether testing or targeted treatment is appropriate.

Most throat irritation improves with time and supportive care, but persisting or recurrent pain deserves review. Ongoing hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, a neck lump, or blood in saliva should be assessed. Early review also helps prevent dehydration when pain makes drinking difficult.