A sore throat is an inflammation or infection of the pharynx. The pharynx is the part of the throat between the tonsils and the larynx, or voice box. A sore throat usually comes on suddenly, and is called acute.
Some people have an ongoing, or chronic, form of the condition.
A sore throat can occur in viral infections such as the common cold , influenza , and infectious mononucleosis . Another cause may be bacteria such as Group A Streptococcus . This kind of sore throat is often called strep throat. Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea can cause sore throat. A chronic sore throat may be caused by constant irritation from smoking , breathing heavily polluted air, consuming too much alcohol , or by swallowing substances that scald or scratch the throat.