Health condition · plain-language reference

Sore Throat

Also called: Pharyngitis

Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx (also called the voice box). The technical name for the throat is pharynx. You can have a sore throat for many reasons. Often, colds and flu cause sore throats. Other causes can include: Allergies Mononucleosis Smoking Strep throat Tonsillitis Treatment depends on the cause. Sucking on lozenges, drinking lots of liquids, and gargling may ease the pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help, but children should not take aspirin.

Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM) ↗. For informational purposes only — not medical advice.