In most of the cases, sore throats are caused by infections, and infections appear due to viruses or bacteria. It is important to know that bacteria respond well to antibiotics, but when we are dealing with viruses, this treatment has no effect.

Especially in winter, there are a lot of sore throats that come in addition to a cold or flu. There can appear symptoms like sneezing, a stuffy-runny nose, and generalized aches and pains that accompany the sore throat. In about a week, the body is creating antibodies that destroy the virus.
A more severe infection , and which lasts for a longer period is the mononucleosis. The virus enters in the lymph system, causes enlargement of the tonsils, swollen glands in the neck, armpits and groin, and there results a severe sore throat. In some cases, there can appear serious breathing difficulties and the liver can be affected, leading to jaundice.
This illness can be transmitted by saliva, and that is the reason why it is also known under the name of the kissing disease. It is more severe in teenagers and young adults and less severe in childs.

A strep throat is a bacterial throat infection caused by Group A streptococcus bacteria. This infection can lead to complications, such as rheumatic fever, nephritis, and it can also cause scarlet fever, tonsillitis, pneumonia, sinusitis and ear infections. It is very important that a strep throat to be treated with antibiotics.
In order to determine if you have a strep throat, the doctor can perform a quick strep test , which can show the result in about 15 minutes, or the doctor may want to send for a culture, which will show the result after 2 days.
It is known that these tests might not detect some bacteria that can also cause severe sore throat. It is the case of severe and chronic cases of tonsillitis, diphtheria and infections from oral sexual contacts.

Tonsillitis, an infection of the lumpy tissues on each side of the throat toward the back affects usually childs. Frequent sore throats from tonsillitis suggest that the infection is not fully eliminated between episodes, and it was seen that childs that suffered because of those frequent sore throats from tonsillitis became healthier after their tonsils were surgically removed.
Sore throats can be also caused by infections in the nose and sinuses, because mucus from the nose drains down into the throat, and the infection is carried there.

Epiglottitis is one of the most dangerous infections for humans as it can affect the larynx and lead to its swelling, causing suffocation. This condition is an emergency and needs proper treatment. If you sense any difficulty when swallowing, a speech that is muffled, and difficulty in breathing you must immediately go to the doctor for a check-up.

Those who suffer of allergies are exposed to throat irritations during an allergy crisis. The allergens like pollen, dust and molds can cause irritation of the nose as well as of the throat.

Those who have an inefficient humidification system in the bedroom and who do not drink enough liquids are exposed during the winter months to a mild sore throat in the mornings due to the dry air inside the room.

People who have a problem with their stomach might have morning regurgitations of acid causing irritations upon their throats. These people should sleep with their head a little higher than their legs and should try not to eat or drink anything with two hours before bedtime. Also, taking antacid pills might help in some cases.

People who are smoking or who live in places where others smoke, are at risk of developing a sore throat if they do not take any measures of protecting themselves. Those who work with industrial pollutants and chemicals are also exposed to sore throat.

Shouting is not good for the throat either. Those who go on stadiums to watch football games for example are not protecting their throat membranes and will suffer the next day for sure. Artists and experienced public speakers are well trained to protect their throat muscles and will use the abdominal muscles more when singing or talking loud.

In some cases the sore throat is caused by a tumor situated on the tongue or larynx. These tumors are mostly caused by excessive smoking and alcohol drinking. The symptoms of such a tumor can be: pain when swallowing with a radiation towards the ear, hoarseness, a loss of weight and coughing with blood. Diagnosing a tumor can be made only by a specialized doctor in nose, ears, throat, and head with the help of telescopic instruments and small mirrors.