Sore throat.

Sore throat, termed pharyngitis by medical practitioners, is a common cause of patient discomfort and visits to the doctor’s office. Though many people equate sore throat with strep throat, in reality, there are many infectious and noninfectious causes of this symptom. A sore throat can even be a sign of disease in another part of the body. The sensation, which may be described by sufferers as scratchy, raw, tight, burning, or achy, may last from minutes to months, depending on the underlying cause, and may be accompanied by related complaints such as fever, runny nose, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing.