Sore throats are divided into types, based on the part of the throat they affect:
- Pharyngitis affects the area right behind the mouth.
- Tonsillitis is swelling and redness of the tonsils, the soft tissue in the back of the mouth.
- Laryngitis is swelling and redness of the voice box or larynx.
Sore throat Symptoms:
The symptoms of a sore throat can vary depending on what caused it. A sore throat can feel:
- Scratchy
- Burning
- Raw
- Dry
- Tender
- Irritated
It may hurt more when you swallow or talk. Your throat or tonsils might also look red. Sometimes, white patches or areas of pus will form on the tonsils. These white patches are more common in strep throat than in a sore throat caused by a virus.
Along with the sore throat, you can have symptoms like:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Hoarse voice
- Body aches
- Headache
- Trouble swallowing
- Appetite loss
