Sore throat

Sore throat is pain, irritation, or scratchiness in the throat, often made worse by swallowing. It is a symptom with infectious and noninfectious causes.

Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx, the passage behind the nose and mouth. This common form of sore throat arises when the pharyngeal lining becomes inflamed.
Rapid antigen detection test: A quick test that detects specific antigens from a microorganism in a sample. Rapid tests can help identify group A Streptococcus in people with compatible symptoms.
Viral pharyngitis: Pharyngeal inflammation caused by a virus. It accounts for many sore throats and usually improves without antibiotics.
Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing food, liquid, or saliva. Severe swallowing difficulty can signal a complication or threaten hydration.
Pharynx: The muscular passage connecting the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx and esophagus. The pharynx is a major site of inflammation associated with throat pain.
Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by infection. Inflamed tonsils can make the throat painful, especially during swallowing.
Throat culture: A laboratory method that grows microorganisms from a throat swab for identification. Culture can confirm streptococcal infection when rapid testing is negative or unavailable.
Common cold: A mild upper respiratory infection, most often caused by rhinoviruses. Cold symptoms commonly include throat irritation alongside congestion or a runny nose.
Odynophagia: Pain experienced during swallowing. This symptom often accompanies sore throat and can limit eating or drinking.
Tonsil: A mass of lymphoid tissue near the entrance to the throat. Tonsils can become infected or inflamed and contribute to painful swallowing.

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