SORE THROAT

A sore throat usually occurs in combination with other signs and symptoms. These can vary greatly, depending on the type of infection you have. For example, in addition to an itchy or sore throat, a cold is likely to cause:

• Sneezing

• Watery eyes

• Cough

• A low fever — less than 102 F

• Nasal congestion

• Slight body aches or mild headache

On the other hand, influenza, which is also caused by a virus, is marked by severe fatigue, body aches, chills, sweats and a fever over 102 F.

Mononucleosis is a much longer-lived viral illness associated with a severe sore throat. Although signs and symptoms of the disease typically last about 10 days, it can take weeks to recover your strength after a bout of mono. In addition to a sore throat, the disease may cause:

• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits

• Swollen tonsils

• Headache

• Skin rash

• Loss of appetite

• Soft, swollen spleen

• Liver inflammation

Other viral illnesses, including measles, chickenpox and croup, also usually occur with a sore throat.

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