Throat pain is a symptom not a condition. Usually, the underlying condition behind the throat pain is pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, ulcers over pharynx, thyroiditis, burns due to intake of very hot food, or throat cancer.

Throat pain is usually associated with other symptoms like cough, cold, fever with chills, generalized body ache, pain in the ears, difficulty in swallowing, pain during swallowing, and swelling in the throat.

The causes of throat pain are tonsillitis, pharyngitis, ulcers over pharynx, acid reflux, smoking, inflammation of thyroid, cancer of throat , and over use of vocal chords.

Throat pain can be prevented by avoiding cold food and drinks, gargling with salt and luke warm water, covering the ears with cotton, decreasing the use of vocal chords and avoiding using public areas like drinking directly from drinking fountains.

Long-standing throat pain indicates some serious conditions like cancer of larynx, cancer of pharynx, ulcers over pharynx, inflammation of thyroid, cancer of thyroid gland, or repeated tonsillitis. A consultation with a doctor is warranted.