causes for sore throats
Infections by contagious viruses or bacteria are the source of the majority of sore throats. Viruses: Sore throats often accompany viral infections, including the flu, colds, measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup.
Sinus infections (also called sinusitis) can cause a sore throat, as can chronic post nasal drip. Post nasal drip feels like a runny nose in the back of your throat and can be caused by sinusitis, allergies, upper respiratory infections and pregnancy. For more information, please read:
Tumors of the throat, tongue, and larynx (voice box) can cause a sore throat with pain radiating to the ear and/or difficulty swallowing. Other important symptoms can include hoarseness, noisy breathing, a lump in the neck, unexplained weight loss, and/or spitting up blood in the saliva or phlegm.
Allergies affect millions of people in the United States. Besides a sore throat, they commonly cause fatigue, a runny nose, post-nasal drip and itchy eyes and ears. Allergies are caused by many things, including pollen, grass, mold, dust and pet dander. Allergies are often treated by a class of medications called antihistamines.