Pharyngitis is most often caused by a viral infection, or by a bacterium.
Viral pharyngitis is the most common cause of a sore throat .
When cultures of the throat fail to reveal bacterial causes for the symptoms, a viral pharyngitis is suspected. Risk factors include recent upper respiratory infection . The incidence is 3 out of 100 people. There is no specific treatment for viral pharyngitis . However note that antiseptic lozenges and sprays may aggravate this condition rather than provide relief.