What would cause a sore throat that lasts for weeks?
An ongoing sore throat could have many causes. The most common causes of a sore throat are a viral or bacterial infection that results in postnasal drip and coughing, both of which irritate tissues in the throat and cause inflammation and soreness. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics and must run their course. For this reason, it can take some people as long as a few weeks to recover from a viral infection or cold. Once they are treated with an antibiotic, bacterial infections of the throat should improve within days. Another cause of sore throat is allergies that promote postnasal drip. There are, however, more serious conditions of the sinuses and throat that may cause the throat to be sore. If you are experiencing an ongoing sore throat, ask your ear, nose, and throat specialist to examine you.
