Only Symptom Sore Throat

There are some cases where a person's only symptom of a viral throat infection is a sore throat. This condition is called viral pharyngitis. In other cases, the infection might cause other symptoms. This is because the same viruses that cause viral pharyngitis also cause upper respiratory infections, like the common cold, flu, or sinus infections (sinusitis).
 
Some signs that a sore throat might be from a virus include:
 
  • A cough
  • Watery eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Irritation of the eyes (conjunctivitis or pink eye)
  • Hoarseness
  • Sneezing
  • Low-grade fever -- lower than 101ºF (38.3ºC)
  • Mild body aches
  • Mild headaches
  • Swelling of the lymph glands in the neck.
      
(Click Sore Throat Symptoms for more information on when a sore throat is the only symptom. This article also describes other possible symptoms that may occur if a virus or bacteria is causing the throat infection.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
Referring Pages Articles