Do Allergies Cause a Sore Throat?

A sore throat is one of the most common reasons that people go to their healthcare provider. The two most common reasons for a sore throat are an infection with either a virus (the most common) or bacteria. But do allergies cause a sore throat? The answer is yes, a sore throat can occur due to certain allergies.
 
However, if you have certain other symptoms along with a sore throat, your throat problem may not just be due to allergies. Some clues that a sore throat might be from a virus include:
 
  • A cough
  • Runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Irritation of the eyes (conjunctivitis or pink eye)
  • Low-grade fever 101ºF (38.3ºC)
  • Swelling of the lymph glands in the neck.
     
If you have a bacterial infection, the symptoms will differ from those of a viral infection. Strep throat is the most common bacterial cause of a sore throat. Besides a sore throat, possible signs or symptoms of a strep throat can include:
 
  • A fever above 101ºF (38.3ºC)
  • Red and enlarged tonsils
  • Tender or swollen lymph glands in the neck.
     
(Click Sore Throat, Sore Throat Causes, and Sore Throat Symptoms for more information.)
 
List of references (click here)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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