What Are Common Causes of a Burning Sore Throat?
Most people have suffered a burning sore throat on more than one occasion. While this painful condition is generally a direct result of the inflammation of the pharynx, tonsil, and larynx tissues, the inflammation itself has a number of possible causes. In many cases, a burning sore throat is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It is sometimes also caused by exposure to external allergens or pollutants, or even by irritants found within the body. Much less commonly, a sore throat can be symptomatic of a serious underlying medical condition such as cancer. Viral infections such as influenza and the common cold are frequently to blame for a burning sore throat. Often, the throat tissues swell as part of the immune system’s response to viral infection, causing tenderness and difficulty swallowing. In addition, the excess mucus produced during illness sometimes seeps downward from the nasal passages into the throat. This phenomenon, known as postnasal drip, can further irritate the t
