Sore throats are commonly associated with infectious diseases such as the common cold, acute pharyngitis, acute laryngitis, acute herpetic pharyngitis, acute pharyngeal conjunctivitis, acute tonsillitis, retropharyngeal abscesses, parapharyngeal abscesses and periapical periodontitis.
Infections can be triggered by long-term consumption of spicy and irritating food, too cold and too hot food, long-term work in dusty environments, heavy smoking, alcohol consumption and fatigue. Some non-infectious diseases of the throat, such as hypopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer and laryngeal leukoplakia, can also cause sore throat.