The duration of a sore throat depends on what is causing it, the overall health of the patient, the treatments used, as well as lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Sore throats, also known as pharyngitis, can be acute, lasting only a few days, or chronic, lingering on for long periods (potentially months) until the underlying cause is addressed. Sore throats that are caused by a viral infection, which is the most common cause, typically resolve on their own within 3 to 10 days. Sore throats caused by a bacterial infection or allergies may last longer and generally require professional treatment in order to ameliorate symptoms. At-home treatments and prescribed medications can affect the length of time that a person experiences symptoms from a sore throat, such as pain, scratchiness and trouble swallowing; these treatments typically induce a quicker recovery time, as long as the underlying cause is properly addressed.