---
title: "Sore throat"
description: "Sore throat.   A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu.   An Angina (..."
url: https://doctoralcudia.com/sore-throat/
date: 2026-02-28
modified: 2026-02-28
author: "Doctor Alcudia"
image: https://doctoralcudia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Sore-Throat.jpg
categories: ["Infections", "Diseases"]
tags: ["Infections", "Sore throat"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Sore throat

## Sore throat

 

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu.

 

An Angina (streptococcal infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications.

 

Other less common causes of sore throat might require more complex treatment.

 

 

 

![Sore throat](https://doctoralcudia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/amigdalitis1.jpg)![Sore throat](https://doctoralcudia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/amigdalitis1.jpg)

 

 

 

### Symptoms of a sore throat

 

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause. Signs and symptoms might include:

 

- Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat
- Pain that worsens with swallowing or talking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore, swollen glands in your neck or jaw
- Swollen, red tonsils
- White patches or pus on your tonsils
- Hoarse or muffled voice

 

Common infections causing a sore throat might result in other signs and symptoms, including:

- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Body aches
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting

 

 

 

## When to see a doctor

 

**Take your child to a doctor if** your child’s sore throat doesn’t go away with the first drink in the morning, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics.

 

 

**Get immediate care if your child has** severe signs such as:

 

- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unusual drooling, which might indicate an inability to swallow

 

 

**If you’re an adult, see your doctor** **if** you have a sore throat and any of the following associated problems occur, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology:

 

- A sore throat that is severe or lasts longer than a week
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Joint pain
- Earache
- Rash
- Fever higher than 101 F (38.3 C)
- Blood in saliva or phlegm
- Frequently recurring sore throats
- A lump in your neck
- Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks

 

Source: The [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/)

 

### If you need to see a Doctor [contact us](https://doctoralcudia.com/contact/)