(HealthDay News) — A sore throat is among the most common medical maladies. But it shouldn’t be ignored, since a sore throat could represent a harmless problem or a serious illness such as strep throat.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says possible causes of a sore throat include:
- A virus, such as the flu or common cold.
- A bacterial infection.
- An allergy.
- Dry air.
- Air pollution.
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.