Sore throat causes a burning or scratchy feeling in the throat. There are many different causes of sore throat, ranging from infections and allergies to pollution, smoking and cancer. You should seek medical attention for a sore throat, as it can be mild due to a cold or flu or more severe and prolonged due to a serious underlying cause like cancer.
Infections
According to the Mayo Clinic, most sore throats are viral in origin. Viruses that cause a flu or common cold cause soreness in the throat. This is contagious and usually spreads.
In Infectious mononucleosis, besides complaints of headache, chills and swollen neck glands, there will be a sore throat that lasts for up to three weeks.
Per the National Institutes of Health, strep throat is the most common bacterial cause of sore throat. With strep throat, there will be fever, redness of the throat and difficulty swallowing. The tonsils will be covered with pus and the neck glands will be swollen.
Infection of the sinuses can result in postnasal drip, which is mucus trickling down the back of the throat. This can irritate the throat and make it sore.
Reflux of acid from the stomach into the larynx, as seen in reflux laryngitis, can cause throat soreness.
Environmental Factors
In winter, the dry air can dry the throat and result in a sore throat, especially upon waking in the morning. Allergy to pollens, mold and pet dander can cause allergic pharyngitis. Breathing polluted air and exposure to smoke can also irritate the throat.
Serious Causes
HIV infection can cause a chronic sore throat. Conditions that lower immunity levels, like an excess of antibiotics or chemotherapy, can result in thrush. This fungal infection gives rise to soreness in the throat.
If the sore throat is chronic, it could be due to a serious cause like cancer. Cancers of the throat, larynx and tongue can all cause a sore throat. There will be associated symptoms like difficulty swallowing, pain in the ear and hoarse voice.
Other Causes
Smoking, alcohol consumption and too much spicy and hot food can inflame the throat. Following an operation to remove the tonsils, sore throat is commonly present for up to 10 days. Mouth breathing can result in dryness and a sore feeling in the throat. Voice strain that happens with shouting, singing and voice misuse can also cause a sore throat.
