Sore Throat Health Video

Sore throat, or pharyngitis, is a painful condition wherein the pharynx inflames and makes swallowing difficult. Learn more about sore throat in this health video.

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About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

DR. SUSAN L. MCGLADDERY: Hello, my name is Dr. Susan McGladdery. I'm the Medical Director from First Med Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to talk to you about sore throats. Sore throat isn't one disease; it's the symptom of other illnesses such as the common cold or flu. In many cases, the sore throat can be the first sign that you're getting sick. Most sore throats will go away on their own within about a week. Only a small percentage requires medical care. There are many different things that can cause sore throat and these include infections, most commonly due to virus but sometimes due to bacteria. Other things that cause sore throat, we don't always think about immediately, include problems such as allergies, animal dander, molds, pollens that trigger allergic reactions such as red and swollen eyes can also cause a sore throat. Dryness, dry indoor air especially in the winter when the heating is turned up can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Breathing through the mouth because the nose is congested can also make the throat feel dry and sore. Other things such as pollution and irritants, outdoor air pollution can cause continuing irritation of the throat and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke can also cause chronic sore throats. Muscle strain is another cause for sore throats; too much yelling or shouting can strain the muscles of the throat and the same way that your arms and legs can be strained. Problems like gastroesophageal reflux can also irritate the throat as acid reflux is up into the mouth and burns. Rarely, tumors, if you smoke or drink alcohol in excess, you're at the higher risk of tumors in the throat and in the tongue or mouth. Many of these tumors cause few symptoms or signs, maybe just hoarse voice. You should seek medical advice if you have a persistent or recurrent sore throat or hoarseness that persists for more than 3 weeks. If you have severe difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing or dehydration, also if you have high fever; if you have enlarged glands in the neck; if you have signs of pus at the back of the throat; if you have a rash; if you are coughing blood or you see blood in the saliva; also, if you've had contact with someone who you know who's been diagnosed with a strep throat; in those situations, it's important that you go and see your doctor to have further investigations to identify whether you need specific treatment for your sore throat.