Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Pharyngitis is caused by swelling (inflammation) of the pharynx, which is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx).

Most sore throats are caused by a viral infection, such as the cold or flu. Some viruses can cause specific types of sore throat, such as coxsackie infection or mononucleosis.

Bacteria that can cause pharyngitis include Group A streptococcus, which leads to strep throat in some cases.

Other, less-common bacteria that cause sore throats include corynebacterium, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness often spreads among family members.

Risk Factors

The following factors increase your chances of developing eosinophilia:

• Allergic rhinitis or hay fever
• Food Allergy
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Vasculitis
• Prescription drug side effects
• Parasitic infection
• Cirrhosis
• Asthma
• Eczema
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Symptoms

The main symptom is a sore throat.

Other symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Joint pain and muscle aches
• Skin rashes
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck