Pharyngitis

A sore throat, otherwise known as pharyngitis or tonsillitis (American English: tonsilitis), is painful inflammation of the throat. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, or by irritation from agents such as pollutants, chemicals, or smoke.

Treatment of a sore throat will vary according to the cause. Antibiotics are only helpful when a bacterial infection is the cause of the sore throat. A household remedy which might help is gargling with warm salty water.