Pharyngitis ( /færɨnˈdʒaɪtɨs/) comes from the Greek word pharynx φάρυγξ meaning throat and the suffix -itis ίτις meaning inflammation. It is an inflammation of the throat. In most cases it is quite painful, and is the most common cause of a sore throat.

Like many types of inflammation, pharyngitis can be acute – characterized by a rapid onset and typically a relatively short course – or chronic. Pharyngitis can result in very large tonsils which cause trouble swallowing and breathing. Pharyngitis can be accompanied by a cough or fever, for example, if caused by a systemic infection.

Most acute cases are caused by viral infections (40–80%), with the remainder caused by bacterial infections, fungal infections, or irritants such as pollutants or chemical substances. Treatment of viral causes are mainly symptomatic while bacterial or fungal causes may be amenable to antibiotics and anti-fungal respectively.

Pharyngitis is a type of inflammation, most commonly caused by an upper respiratory tract infection. It may be classified as acute or chronic. An acute pharyngitis may be catarrhal, purulent or ulcerative, depending on the virulence of the causative agent and the immune capacity of the affected individual. Chronic pharyngitis is the most common otolaringologic disease and may be catarrhal, hypertrophic or atrophic.

A sore throat or throat pain is a common physical symptom usually caused by acute pharyngitis, or throat inflammation, though it also occurs in a number of other situations, such as post trauma and in diphtheria. It can cause mild to extreme pain.

A sore throat is pain anywhere in the oropharynx.

A sore throat is usually from irritation or inflammation. The most common cause is acute viral pharyngitis (80%) which is a viral infection of the throat. Other causes include other infections (such as streptococcal pharyngitis), trauma, and tumors. In children streptococcal pharyngitis is the cause of 37% of sore throats.

Analgesics such as NSAIDs and paracetamol (acetaminophen) help significantly in the management of pain.Steroids are also useful in this respect. The Mayo clinic mentions some tips, including gargling with warm, salty water, resting the voice, and avoiding air pollution.

In the United States there are about 2.4 million emergency department visits with throat related complaints per year.