Coughs and Colds

Your sore throat may be caused by a virus, a bacterial infection, a yeast infection, or irritants (such as refluxed stomach acid). Most of the time, a sore throat does not require a doctor's evaluation. If you have symptoms that come from a common cold, then you probably do not need to visit your doctor unless you would like to receive your own doctor's advice about over-the-counter treatment options.

Do you also have a runny nose, stuffy nose, or sneezing? Yes, this describes my symptoms. No, just my throat is sore.

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Online Medical Reviewer: McDonald, Thad, MD Date Last Reviewed: 5/4/2006 Date Last Modified: 3/30/2006 Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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