A sore throat means your throat hurts. Itchy or itchy feeling. You may feel some mild discomfort or a burning pain. Sore throats may feel worse when you swallow. Possible complications from a sore throat include ear and sinus infections. Another complication is an abscess (collection of pus) near your tonsils.
The symptoms of an afternoon throat can vary depending on what caused it. A sore throat can feel: scratchy, dry, burning, and irritated. It may hurt more when you swallow or talk. Your throat or tonsils may also look red.
Sometimes, white patches or areas of the pussy will form on the tonsils. These white patches are more common in strep throat than in a afternoon throat caused by a virus.
The causes of a sore throat range from infection to injury. Here are the most common causes of sore throats.
Allergy
When the immune system reacts to allergy triggers like pollen, grass, and pet dander, it releases chemicals that cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and throat irritation.
The excess mucus in the nose can drip down the back of the throat. This is known as postnasal drip and can irritate the throat.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which acid from the stomach returns to the esophagus — the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
The acid burns your esophagus and throat, causing symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux — regurgitation of acid into your throat.
Common flu
The common cold is a mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It’s very common and usually goes away on its own in a week or two.
The main symptoms of the common cold include:
evening throat
stuffy or runny nose
sneezing
cough
More severe symptoms, including a high temperature (fever), headache and muscle aches may also occur, though these tend to be more related to the flu.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box). In most cases, the condition will improve without treatment in about a week.
Symptoms of laryngitis can start suddenly and usually get worse over two to three days. Common symptoms of laryngitis include:
- hoarseness
- difficulty speaking
- sore throat
- mild fever
- annoying cough
- constant need to clear your throat
Hoarseness and difficulty speaking usually get worse each day you are sick and can last up to a week after other symptoms have disappeared.
In some cases, the larynx can swell and cause difficulty breathing. It is not common in adults but can occur in young children who have a smaller and narrower throat.
Laryngitis is often associated with other illnesses, such as a cold, flu, throat infection (pharyngitis) or tonsillitis, so you may also have other symptoms such as: headache, swollen glands, runny nose, pain when swallowing.
