Sore Throat: Causes, Symptoms & Home Remedies

Sore throats, also referred to as pharyngitis, may be caused by infections, allergies or lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking or prolonged yelling. Fortunately, the symptoms of a sore throat can often be treated at home with hydration, lozenges and pain relievers.

Difficulty Swallowing

• Difficulty swallowing food and beverages is often an early symptom of a sore throat, and babies with sore throats may refuse the bottle or breast.

Dryness

• People with a sore throat may notice a feeling of dryness or scratchiness, and may describe the feeling as a "tickle" or a "frog" in the back of the throat.

Hoarseness

• Sore throats that are irritated and inflamed may cause people to develop a hoarse or raspy voice, which can make speaking difficult.

Mucus

• Excessive mucus running down the back of the throat may develop in people with a sore throat, and the mucus may cause a bad taste and abnormal sensations in the mouth.

Pain

• People with a sore throat may notice pain when breathing or talking, and the neck and lymph nodes may be sore or tender to the touch.

Swelling

• Swelling and redness inside of the throat and mouth may develop in people with sore throats, and the inflammation may extend into the tonsils and lymph nodes in the neck.