Sore Throat
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Sore throat
Pain when swallowing
Sore throat on the right side
Pain on one side of the throat
Itchy throat
Sore throat on the left side
Hard to eat
Pain when swallowing food
Sore throat on one side
Raspy voice
Difficult to swallow food because of pain
Only one side of my throat hurts
About the Symptom
A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when swallowing.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Difficulty breathing / breathlessness
- Chest pain during swallowing
- Dysphagia
- Peripheral cyanosis
- Fever
Possible Causes
Generally, Sore throat can be related to:
- Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
Infection of the tonsils and pharynx (back of the mouth), either by viruses or bacteria.
- Subacute Thyroiditis
Inflammation of the thyroid gland which causes high levels of thyroid hormone in the body. It usually occurs after a viral infection. It presents as pain in the neck because of the swollen and inflamed thyroid gland. Can also have difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, fatigue and fever. It can also go on to cause symptoms of high thyroid hormone such as weight loss, increased bowel movements, palpitations, sweating.
- Pharyngoconjunctival Fever
This viral infection causes sore throat, red eyes, and fever. Some patients may have enlarged neck glands (lymph nodes). Patients usually recover without treatment.
- COVID-19
- Pharyngeal Tumor
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Sore throat may be related to these serious diseases:
- Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
A bacterial infection of the areas around the tonsils and deep parts of the neck. Pus accumulates in these areas forming an abscess.
- Acute Epiglottitis
- Pharyngeal Foreign Body
- Infectious Mononucleosis
Streptococcal infection
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have a sore throat?
- When did you first notice your sore throat?
- How often do you experience a sore throat?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your sore throat at its worst?
- How is your sore throat now?
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Jan 30, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
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- Scratchy throat (sore throat)
- Burning in the throat when I drink
- I feel strange in my throat
- Throat feels burnt when I drink
- Burning sensation in throat
- I have a sore throat
- It hurts when I swallow
See full list
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FAQs
Q.
Is It Okay to Take Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or Ibuprofen (Advil®) While Breastfeeding?
A.
Yes, it is generally safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®) while breastfeeding. Both medications are considered compatible with breastfeeding, but it is important to follow recommended dosages and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
References:
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Acetaminophen. [Updated 2024 Jun 15].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501194/
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Ibuprofen. [Updated 2024 Sep 15].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500986/
Spencer JP, Thomas S, Trondsen Pawlowski RH. Medication Safety in Breastfeeding. Am Fam Physician. 2022 Dec;106(6):638-644. PMID: 36521462.
Q.
What Are the Causes of Sore Throat Without Fever?
A.
Sore throat, or pharyngitis, without a fever can be caused by a variety of things like infections, seasonal allergies and acid reflux.
References:
Sykes EA, Wu V, Beyea MM, Simpson MTW, Beyea JA. Pharyngitis: Approach to diagnosis and treatment. Can Fam Physician. 2020 Apr;66(4):251-257. PMID: 32273409; PMCID: PMC7145142.
Krüger K, Töpfner N, Berner R, Windfuhr J, Oltrogge JH; Guideline group. Clinical Practice Guideline: Sore Throat. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Mar 19;118(11):188-94. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0121. PMID: 33602392; PMCID: PMC8245861.
Q.
Does Acetaminophen (Tylenol (r)) Help With Sore Throat?
A.
Absolutely, it is effective for sore throat pain caused by pharyngitis.
References:
Ameer B, Greenblatt DJ. Acetaminophen. Ann Intern Med. 1977 Aug;87(2):202-9. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-87-2-202. PMID: 329728.
De Vocht K, Debie T, Bastiaens H, Anthierens S. The use of paracetamol for first-line treatment of acute sore throat. A descriptive generic qualitative study of GPs and patients. Eur J Gen Pract. 2021 Dec;27(1):60-67. doi: 10.1080/13814788.2021.1912730. PMID: 33949255; PMCID: PMC8118443.
Q.
Do Medications Like Acetaminophen (Tylenol©) or Ibuprofen Work for a Sore Throat？
A.
Both medications are good options for symptom relief from a sore throat.
References:
De Vocht K, Debie T, Bastiaens H, Anthierens S. The use of paracetamol for first-line treatment of acute sore throat. A descriptive generic qualitative study of GPs and patients. Eur J Gen Pract. 2021 Dec;27(1):60-67. doi: 10.1080/13814788.2021.1912730. PMID: 33949255; PMCID: PMC8118443.
ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group; Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, Galeone C, Esposito S, Huovinen P, Little P, Verheij T. Guideline for the management of acute sore throat. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012 Apr;18 Suppl 1:1-28. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x. PMID: 22432746.
Q.
What Are the Side Effects of Taking Tylenol Every Day?
A.
Taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) every day can lead to several potential side effects, particularly with long-term use. The most significant risks include liver damage, gastrointestinal issues, and potential kidney problems. It is important to use acetaminophen as directed and to consult a healthcare provider if you find yourself needing it regularly.
References:
McCrae JC, Morrison EE, MacIntyre IM, Dear JW, Webb DJ. Long-term adverse effects of paracetamol - a review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Oct;84(10):2218-2230. doi: 10.1111/bcp.13656. Epub 2018 Jul 20. PMID: 29863746; PMCID: PMC6138494.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Sore throat - NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/Pharyngitis - American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP)
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/0315/p1465.html