You are having sore throat symptoms. sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. • The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Interestingly, a sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own. • Streptococcal infection also causes sore throat but it is a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria and requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications.