A sore throat is characterized by a painful, scratchy, or dry sensation in the throat.

One of the most common symptoms is throat pain. It accounts for almost 13 million annual visits to doctors’ offices.

Infections or environmental factors such as dry air are the most common causes of sore throats. A sore throat might be annoying, but it normally goes away on its own.

Sore throats are classified according to the portion of the throat they affect:

1. Pharyngitis is a condition that affects the region behind the mouth.
2. Tonsillitis is a condition in which the tonsils, and soft tissue in the back of the mouth, swell and become red.
3. Swelling and redness of the voice box, or larynx, are symptoms of laryngitis.