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A sore throat is a common reason to see a doctor. However, when a throat is sore on only one side, it may be a sign of a different illness or condition such as swollen lymph nodes or tonsillitis. In this article, we look at nine possible causes of a sore throat on one side. We also discuss when to see a doctor. Share on Pinterest Some illnesses and conditions cause soreness on only one side of the throat. The body’s lymph nodes act as filters, helping to identify and trap germs, such as viruses and bacteria, before they can infect other areas. As they do this, the lymph nodes may swell up and become sore.

a cold or flu strep throat an ear infectionan infected tooth, or tooth abscess mononucleosis, sometimes called “mono”infections in the skin cancer HIV

Many common viral illnesses, such as a cold or flu, can cause a sore throat. In these cases, the throat may only be sore on one side. When the nose is congested, mucus and fluid drain down the back of the throat. This is known as postnasal drip. Continual drainage can irritate the throat, leading to a feeling of soreness or scratchiness.

• A specific part of the throat may become more irritated by drainage.
• It may feel like one side is raw and inflamed.
• Antibiotics cannot treat or weaken viral illnesses.
• If a cold, flu, or another viral illness is causing the sore throat, treatment will likely involve rest and fluids.
• Tonsillitis describes inflammation of one or more tonsil.

The tonsils are located at the back of the throat, and a virus or bacterium usually causes the infection and inflammation. An infection in just one tonsil can cause pain on one side. It may also cause a fever, trouble swallowing, and noisy breathing. Bacterial tonsillitis usually resolves with antibiotic treatment.

An abscess is a contained, pus-filled lump within tissue. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues near the tonsils, usually when tonsillitis becomes severe or is left untreated. It may cause intense pain on one side of the throat. It may also cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, and trouble swallowing.

A person with a peritonsillar abscess requires urgent medical care. In severe cases, it can interfere with breathing. The abscess may need to be drained by a doctor. Antibiotics are also used to treat the underlying infection. Many things can injure the back of the mouth or throat, including:

burns from hot food or liquidfood with sharp edges, such as chips or crackersendotracheal intubation, which is the insertion of a tube down the throat to help with breathing

If one side of the throat is sore from being scraped or burned, gargling with warm salt water may help to soothe symptoms. Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ) is a condition that causes the stomach’s contents, including stomach acid, to back up into the food pipe and throat.

pain or burning in the middle of the chestthe feeling of a lump or object in the throathoarsenessa dry coughburning in the mouth

If GERD goes untreated for too long, it can damage the food pipe and throat. The condition is treatable with medications and lifestyle changes. As the name implies, this viral illness usually causes sores to form on the hands, feet, and mouth. Sores can develop in the back of the mouth, near the sides of the throat, and one side may be more affected than the other.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually occurs in children under 5 years of age, but it can also spread to older children and adults. The recommended treatment usually comprises rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication for pain relief. However, the disease can cause dehydration, especially in young children.

A person should see a doctor if they are unable to drink. Share on Pinterest Vocal therapy and resting the voice may help to treat vocal cord lesions. Overusing or misusing the voice can lead to lesions or sores on the vocal cords. A lesion may form on one side, causing one area of the throat to be sore.

• A person with a vocal cord lesion will usually notice a change in their voice, such as hoarseness.
• These types of lesions are usually treatable.
• Resting the voice and vocal therapy are typically used to correct vocal cord lesions.
• In some cases, lesions will require surgery.
• While they are among the least common causes of a sore throat, tumors can affect the throat and surrounding areas.

They may be benign or cancerous. A tumor can cause soreness on one side of the throat. It may be located in the back of the throat or tongue, or in the larynx, which is commonly known as the voice box. Usually, a tumor will also lead to symptoms that do not occur with common infections and illnesses.

a lump in the necka hoarse voicenoisy breathingunexplained weight lossblood in the saliva or bloody phlegman ongoing cough

If a throat is sore on one side, the cause is usually a minor viral infection, such as the common cold. However, it is important to see a doctor if the following symptoms also appear:

an inability to eat or drink because of the sore throata severe sore throat that lasts for more than 7 days swollen lymph nodes that get bigger as the sore throat feels betterdifficulty breathing, or a feeling of the throat closingtrouble swallowinga fever pus in the back of the throatbody aches or joint painan earachea rashblood in the mouthcoughing up blooda lump in the necka sore throat that goes away and comes backhoarseness that lasts for more than 2 weeks

Read the article in Spanish

How do you treat one sided throat pain?

Allergies, infections, and illnesses can cause just one side of the throat to hurt. But if the pain is severe or accompanied by concerning symptoms, it may be an early indicator of a more serious condition. Sore throats can range from irritating to excruciating.

1. You’ve probably had a sore throat many times before, so you know what to expect.
2. But what about pain on only one side of your throat? Many things can cause a sore throat on one side, even if you don’t have tonsils.
3. These include postnasal drip, canker sores, tooth infections, and other conditions.
4. You might only have throat pain, or you might have additional symptoms, such as an earache.

Keep reading to learn more what might be causing your throat pain on one side. Postnasal drip refers to mucus that drips down the back of your nose. When this happens, it might feel like all of that mucus is collecting in your throat. Glands in your nose and throat regularly produce 1 to 2 quarts of mucus a day,

• However, if you’re sick with an infection or have allergies, you tend to produce more mucus.
• When the extra mucus accumulates and can’t drain properly, the feeling of it dripping down your throat may be uncomfortable.
• Postnasal drip often irritates your throat, making it sore.
• You may feel this pain on only one side, especially in the morning after you’ve been sleeping on your side.

Treatment for postnasal drip involves treating the underlying condition. In the meantime, you can take a decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), for symptom relief. Tonsillitis is inflammation, usually due to infection, of your tonsils. The tonsils are round balls of lymphatic tissue in the back of your throat.

feverbad breathnasal congestion and runny nose swollen lymph nodes red, swollen tonsils covered with patches of pusdifficulty swallowingheadache abdominal pain raw, bleeding patches on the tonsils

Most cases of viral tonsillitis clear up on their own within 10 days, You can ease the pain with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or home remedies, such as gargling with salt water. If you have bacterial tonsillitis, you’ll likely need an antibiotic from your doctor.

1. A peritonsillar abscess is an infection that creates a walled-off collection of pus adjacent to, and often behind, one of your tonsils.
2. It usually begins as a complication of bacterial tonsillitis and is more common in older children and young adults.
3. While a peritonsillar abscess may cause generalized throat pain, the pain is usually much worse on the side of the affected tonsil.

Other symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess include:

fever fatigue trouble talkingear pain on the affected sidebad breath drooling soft, muffled voice

A peritonsillar abscess requires immediate medical attention. Your doctor will likely use a needle or small incision to drain pus from the affected area. You might also be prescribed antibiotic therapy after the abscess is drained. Canker sores are small sores that form in your mouth.

They can form on the inside of your cheeks, on or under your tongue, inside your lips, or in the top of your mouth near the back of your throat. Most canker sores are small and round with a red border and a white or yellow center. While small, they can be quite painful. When a canker sore forms in a back corner of your throat, you may feel pain on one side.

Most canker sores heal on their own within two weeks, In the meantime, you can find relief with home remedies or OTC topical medications, such as benzocaine (Orabase). Your lymph nodes help your body fight off infections. When they swell, it usually means there’s a problem, such as a viral or bacterial infection.

• You may notice swollen lymph nodes in your neck, under your chin, in your armpits, or in your groin.
• There are many lymph nodes in your head and neck regions.
• When they’re swollen, they may feel tender when you apply pressure to them.
• Lymph nodes usually swell in the area near an infection.
• If you have strep throat, for example, the lymph nodes in your neck may swell.

Sometimes only one lymph node will swell, causing a sore throat on one side. In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes may be a sign of a more severe problem, such cancer or HIV, Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms with swollen lymph nodes:

nodes that are swollen for more than two weeksweight loss night sweats long-lasting feverfatiguenodes that are hard, fixed to the skin, or growing rapidlyswollen nodes close to the collarbone or lower part of the neckred or inflamed skin over swollen nodesdifficulty breathing

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia, the latter sometimes called tic douloureux, are relatively rare nerve conditions that cause recurrent, sudden, excruciating pain around your ear canal, tongue, tonsils, jaw, or side of your face. Due to the location of nerves in your head and neck, the pain is usually on one side of the face only.

The pain of glossopharyngeal neuralgia is usually in the back of the throat or tongue. It’s often triggered by swallowing and usually lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes. You might feel an ache in the affected area after the acute pain episode. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is usually facial, but sometimes can occur in the mouth.

Pain can be sudden and episodic or prolonged and progressive. Touching the face, eating, or even wind blowing on the face may set off an episode. Both conditions are usually treated with medications used for neuropathic pain, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin (Neurontin), or pregabalin (Lyrica).

A tooth (periapical) abscess is a contained collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection. This pocket of pus grows at the tip of the root of your tooth. It can cause severe pain that radiates to your jawbone and your ear on one side of your face. The lymph nodes around your neck and throat may also be swollen and tender.

Other signs that your tooth is infected include:

sensitivity to hot and cold temperaturespain while chewingfeverswelling in your face or cheektender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck

Infection is common with impacted wisdom teeth, which are four molars in the back of your mouth that don’t have enough room to develop normally. Even when these teeth do emerge from the gums, they’re hard to clean, making them prone to infection. Infected wisdom teeth can cause jaw pain and swelling, making it difficult to open your mouth.

1. If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, your dentist will likely recommend removing them.
2. If you have a tooth abscess, your dentist may make an incision to drain the pus.
3. You might also need an antibiotic.
4. Laryngitis refers to inflammation in your voice box, also called your larynx.
5. It’s usually caused by overusing your voice, irritation, or a viral infection.

You have two vocal cords in your larynx that normally open and close smoothly to make sound. When the cords become swollen or irritated, you might feel pain and notice that your voice sounds different. If one cord is more irritated than the other, you may feel throat pain on only one side.

hoarsenessloss of voiceticking sensation in your throatrawness in your throatdry coughdry throat

Laryngitis often heals on its own within a few weeks, but it’s best to rest your voice during this period. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, such as the flu or the common cold. In rare cases, it can be a sign of something more serious. Seek immediate medical treatment if you have any of the following symptoms:

high feverdifficulty breathinginability to swallow food or liquidssevere, unbearable painabnormal, high-pitched breathing sounds ( stridor )fast heart ratesigns of an allergic reaction

If you have throat pain on one side that doesn’t go away after a few days, work with your doctor to figure out what’s causing it. They may prescribe you antibiotic therapy or suggest OTC medications to relieve the pain or other symptoms.

Why do I keep getting a sore throat that comes and goes on one side?

“The ‘run of the mill’ strep throat and tonsillitis are more often seen by primary care physicians,” says Dr. Flores. “ENTs see the more complicated cases that don’t respond to standard treatment. Many of these people have infectious mononucleosis, or eventually need tonsillectomies.” In addition, Flores notes that persistent throat pain on one side — or that feels worse on one side — may indicate a bacterial infection that usually begins as a complication of tonsillitis or untreated strep throat (peritonsillar abscess).

Why is only half of my throat sore?

A sore throat is a common reason to see a doctor. However, when a throat is sore on only one side, it may be a sign of a different illness or condition such as swollen lymph nodes or tonsillitis. In this article, we look at nine possible causes of a sore throat on one side. We also discuss when to see a doctor. Share on Pinterest Some illnesses and conditions cause soreness on only one side of the throat. The body’s lymph nodes act as filters, helping to identify and trap germs, such as viruses and bacteria, before they can infect other areas. As they do this, the lymph nodes may swell up and become sore.

a cold or flu strep throat an ear infectionan infected tooth, or tooth abscess mononucleosis, sometimes called “mono”infections in the skin cancer HIV

Many common viral illnesses, such as a cold or flu, can cause a sore throat. In these cases, the throat may only be sore on one side. When the nose is congested, mucus and fluid drain down the back of the throat. This is known as postnasal drip. Continual drainage can irritate the throat, leading to a feeling of soreness or scratchiness.

• A specific part of the throat may become more irritated by drainage.
• It may feel like one side is raw and inflamed.
• Antibiotics cannot treat or weaken viral illnesses.
• If a cold, flu, or another viral illness is causing the sore throat, treatment will likely involve rest and fluids.
• Tonsillitis describes inflammation of one or more tonsil.

The tonsils are located at the back of the throat, and a virus or bacterium usually causes the infection and inflammation. An infection in just one tonsil can cause pain on one side. It may also cause a fever, trouble swallowing, and noisy breathing. Bacterial tonsillitis usually resolves with antibiotic treatment.

An abscess is a contained, pus-filled lump within tissue. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues near the tonsils, usually when tonsillitis becomes severe or is left untreated. It may cause intense pain on one side of the throat. It may also cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, and trouble swallowing.

A person with a peritonsillar abscess requires urgent medical care. In severe cases, it can interfere with breathing. The abscess may need to be drained by a doctor. Antibiotics are also used to treat the underlying infection. Many things can injure the back of the mouth or throat, including:

burns from hot food or liquidfood with sharp edges, such as chips or crackersendotracheal intubation, which is the insertion of a tube down the throat to help with breathing

If one side of the throat is sore from being scraped or burned, gargling with warm salt water may help to soothe symptoms. Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ) is a condition that causes the stomach’s contents, including stomach acid, to back up into the food pipe and throat.

pain or burning in the middle of the chestthe feeling of a lump or object in the throathoarsenessa dry coughburning in the mouth

If GERD goes untreated for too long, it can damage the food pipe and throat. The condition is treatable with medications and lifestyle changes. As the name implies, this viral illness usually causes sores to form on the hands, feet, and mouth. Sores can develop in the back of the mouth, near the sides of the throat, and one side may be more affected than the other.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually occurs in children under 5 years of age, but it can also spread to older children and adults. The recommended treatment usually comprises rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication for pain relief. However, the disease can cause dehydration, especially in young children.

A person should see a doctor if they are unable to drink. Share on Pinterest Vocal therapy and resting the voice may help to treat vocal cord lesions. Overusing or misusing the voice can lead to lesions or sores on the vocal cords. A lesion may form on one side, causing one area of the throat to be sore.

1. A person with a vocal cord lesion will usually notice a change in their voice, such as hoarseness.
2. These types of lesions are usually treatable.
3. Resting the voice and vocal therapy are typically used to correct vocal cord lesions.
4. In some cases, lesions will require surgery.
5. While they are among the least common causes of a sore throat, tumors can affect the throat and surrounding areas.

They may be benign or cancerous. A tumor can cause soreness on one side of the throat. It may be located in the back of the throat or tongue, or in the larynx, which is commonly known as the voice box. Usually, a tumor will also lead to symptoms that do not occur with common infections and illnesses.

a lump in the necka hoarse voicenoisy breathingunexplained weight lossblood in the saliva or bloody phlegman ongoing cough

If a throat is sore on one side, the cause is usually a minor viral infection, such as the common cold. However, it is important to see a doctor if the following symptoms also appear:

an inability to eat or drink because of the sore throata severe sore throat that lasts for more than 7 days swollen lymph nodes that get bigger as the sore throat feels betterdifficulty breathing, or a feeling of the throat closingtrouble swallowinga fever pus in the back of the throatbody aches or joint painan earachea rashblood in the mouthcoughing up blooda lump in the necka sore throat that goes away and comes backhoarseness that lasts for more than 2 weeks

Read the article in Spanish

Why does my right throat hurt when I swallow?

Strep throat – Strep throat, epiglottitis, and esophagitis are some possible causes of pain when swallowing. Throat infections are one of the most common causes of pain when swallowing. These include strep throat, which is an infection with Streptococcal bacteria. People with strep throat may also notice:

swollen, tender lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neckpain in the soft palatered spots on the soft palate fever white patches on the tonsils

When is a sore throat serious?

What can I expect if I have a sore throat? – Most of the time, a sore throat isn’t a serious medical issue. Most sore throats go away within a few days. You should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a few days or if you have a sore throat and the following issues:

Severe throat pain. Trouble breathing or swallowing. A fever, especially if it’s over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). A visible bulge in the back of your throat. Blood in your saliva or phlegm. Extreme tiredness. Rash anywhere on your body.

Can strep throat hurt on only one side?

Frequently Asked Questions –

How long does a one-sided sore throat last? How long a sore throat lasts depends more on the cause and less on where the pain is located. Some infections clear up within a week or so, but complicated infections or other causes, such as cancer, can last much longer. Can you get strep on one side of your throat? Strep infections usually cause pain on both sides of the throat. While it’s possible for strep to lead to complications such as peritonsillar abscess, in which pain may be limited to one side, most cases cause pain on both sides of the throat. When should I see a healthcare provider about a sore throat? For most sore throats, you should see your healthcare provider if your symptoms haven’t improved after a week or so. You should seek immediate care if you have complications such as bleeding from your throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Why is my throat sore but no other symptoms?

Summary – Many things can cause a sore throat, and not all of them are worrisome. Most sore throats are caused by viruses or bacteria, which often come with other signs of infection, such as a fever. Even so, there are other causes of a sore throat that may not present with a fever, including allergies, acid reflux, colds, STIs, environmental pollutants, or even cancer.

What is a quincy in the throat?

About quinsy – In quinsy, the abscess (a collection of pus) forms between one of your tonsils and the wall of your throat. This can happen when a bacterial infection spreads from an infected tonsil to the surrounding area. Quinsy can occur at any age, but most commonly affects teenagers and young adults. It’s possible to get it more than once.

Why does my right throat hurt when I swallow?

Strep throat – Strep throat, epiglottitis, and esophagitis are some possible causes of pain when swallowing. Throat infections are one of the most common causes of pain when swallowing. These include strep throat, which is an infection with Streptococcal bacteria. People with strep throat may also notice:

swollen, tender lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neckpain in the soft palatered spots on the soft palate fever white patches on the tonsils