What causes a sore throat?

Sore throat can be caused by various factors, mainly including the following: 1. Physiological factors: Prolonged talking, shouting, or consuming spicy and irritating foods may irritate the throat, leading to soreness. 2. Common cold: Invasion of pathogens into the respiratory tract causes an inflammatory response, which irritates the mucous membrane of the throat, resulting in tissue congestion and edema with associated pain. 3. Pharyngitis or tonsillitis: Inflammatory lesions in the pharynx or tonsils caused by bacterial or viral infections manifest as sore throat. 4. Acute epiglottitis: An inflammatory response caused by infection or hypersensitivity reaction leads to congestion and swelling of the epiglottis, causing severe sore throat, which may be accompanied by difficulty swallowing and breathing difficulties. If sore throat persists or symptoms worsen, prompt medical attention is recommended.