Aetiology

The causes of acute sore throat include:

• viral infections adenoviruses, coxsachie, rhinoviruses and parainfluenzae viruses are isolated in 10 -20% of cases (1).
• bacterial infections (1)
  • 17% had a group A beta-haemolytic streptoccocus (GABHS)
  • 4% had group B,C, and D streptococci
  • 1% had other bacteria such as H.Influenzae or staph. aureus - these percentages should be interpreted with some caution as some of the organisms may be commensals
  • asymptomatic carriage of GABHS is also common, occuring in 6-40% of people (2)
• tuberculosis
• candidiasis
• chemical irritation

NB. immunocompromised patients are more likely to have infections which may present as a sore throat.

Causes of chronic sore throat include:

• irritation
• smoking is the most common cause.
• poor inhaler technique
• dust
• chemicals
• allergy
• candidiasis

Ref:

1. General Practitioner (25/11/1988). A study of sore throat in a group of Oxford Region Practices.
2. MeReC Bulletin 2006;17(3):12-14.
3. Ross P W (1971). Beta-haemolytic streptococci in the throat: carrier rates in schoolchildren. Health Bull; 29: 108-12.