US Medical Term · symptoms
Sore Throat
Dolor de garganta
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Sore Throat |
| Spanish (Español) | Dolor de garganta |
| Chinese (中文) | 喉嚨痛 |
| Korean (한국어) | 인후통 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Đau họng |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Masakit na lalamunan |
| Portuguese (Português) | Dor de garganta |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | อาการเจ็บคอ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 咽頭痛 |
What it means
A sore throat is pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat that often gets worse when you swallow. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like the common cold or flu and go away on their own within a week. Other causes include strep throat (a bacterial infection), allergies, dry air, acid reflux, or irritants. Gargling with warm salt water, throat lozenges, and drinking fluids can help ease the discomfort. See a provider if the sore throat is very severe, lasts more than a week, comes with a high fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, drooling, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have had a sore throat for three days and it hurts to swallow.
He tenido dolor de garganta durante tres días y me duele tragar.
My sore throat is very painful and I also have a fever and white spots on my tonsils.
Mi dolor de garganta es muy intenso y también tengo fiebre y manchas blancas en las amígdalas.
Can you check my throat? It has been sore and scratchy since yesterday.
¿Puede revisar mi garganta? Ha estado adolorida y rasposa desde ayer.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026