Sore throat (pharyngitis)

Key facts A sore throat, or pharyngitis, is when the throat is red, swollen and painful, especially when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat is a virus, but some sore throats are caused by the bacteria streptococcus pyogenes — this is a ‘group A streptococcus‘, sometimes called ‘strep A’. There is no way to cure a sore throat that is caused by a virus. If the sore throat is caused by bacteria, you may benefit from antibiotics. Sometimes, when the sore throat is caused by strep A, complications can occur, including an abscess at the back