A sore throat, also referred to as pharyngitis, is the inflammation or redness of the tissues around the pharynx, which is located at the back of the mouth. When one suffers from sore throat, it is frequently accompanied by cough. Cough is often a result of irritation in the throat. The common causes of sore throat and cough are infection with bacteria, fungi and viruses, post-nasal drip, allergy, and heartburn. Other causes include smoking, foreign body inhalation, medical procedures, and some underlying health problems.
Infection with certain types of bacteria can usually result in sore throat and cough symptoms. Examples of these bacteria are Group A Streptococcus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Corynebacterium diptheriae. Aside from sore throat and cough, patients may also develop a fever, as well as swelling around the walls of the pharynx. Most bacterial infections respond well to antibiotic treatment.
Fungal infection in the mouth usually occurs due to long-term antibiotic use or from some underlying immune system problems. It may also cause sore throat and cough in many patients. Viruses, however, are the most common causes of sore throat and cough due to their easy transmission and large number. Viral respiratory infections include common cold symptoms, such as runny nose, cough, sore throat with no fever and headache, which can last for a few days. Other viral infections may last for several weeks, with some of them accompanied by sore throat and rash as well as blister formation in the mouth.
Post-nasal drip, which is the drainage of excess mucus or fluids from the sinuses down to the throat, can also result in sore throat and cough. This can be due to several factors, like infection and inhalation of irritants. Many individuals with allergies often develop a cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath when they are exposed to certain substances. Heartburn, which is the moving back of acid and other contents in the stomach to the esophagus and throat, can also lead to sore throat and cough.
Medical procedures, like endotracheal intubation, where a tube is inserted in the mouth towards the esophagus, can frequently cause irritation in the throat. Likewise, the presence of foreign bodies such as pins, nuts, and other objects, which get stuck in the pharynx, can also lead to coughing episodes and sore throat. Smoking generally causes irritation in the tissues of the mouth.
Some underlying health problems can cause long-term persistence of sore throat and cough symptoms. Examples of these medical conditions are cancer anywhere in the throat, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Most of these patients have compromised immune system and are prone to catch infections easily.
