Viruses like the common cold, influenza (flu), COVID-19, mononucleosis, and RSV frequently cause dry throats, often due to inflammation or mouth breathing from congestion, while viruses causing laryngitis (like cold/flu viruses) also lead to dryness and hoarseness, with newer COVID variants sometimes causing severe "razor blade" throat pain.
And that could be anything from a viral infection, the common cold, or an upper respiratory infection. It could also include bacterial infections, which include strep throat, or other types of pharyngitis, which means sore throat.
A bout of the flu typically follows this pattern: Days 1–3: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose. Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease. Hoarse, dry or sore throat, cough and possible mild chest discomfort become more noticeable.
Throat infections in children are most commonly caused by viruses (like the common cold, flu, COVID-19, or mono) but can also stem from bacterial infections, especially Streptococcus (strep throat). Less frequent causes include allergies, mouth breathing, dry air, irritants like smoke, or post-nasal drip. Viral infections often come with coughs, while bacterial ones might have sudden onset and high fever, sometimes requiring antibiotics.
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
Stage 1: Early (Days 1 to 3)
About half of all people with colds report a tickly or sore throat as their first symptom.
2025-2026 Flu Symptoms
As mentioned before, our research teams also saw patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with dry mouth, loss of taste, and oral ulcers, which are signs that a virus or bacteria may be affecting them.
Sinus infections can also cause inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages and throat, leading to a sore throat. The drainage of mucus from the sinuses can also irritate the lining of your throat, causing it to become dry and scratchy.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include: Throat pain that usually comes on quickly. Painful swallowing. Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus.
Laryngitis symptoms can include:
June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S.
Although a sore throat is much more common, some people experience a dry throat with strep throat. This is a throat infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. Other symptoms of strep throat include: swollen, red, or white patchy tonsils.
Possible symptoms include:
Seasonal influenza activity is elevated and continues to increase across the country. RSV activity is elevated in many areas of the country with emergency department visits and hospitalizations increasing among children 0-4 years old. COVID-19 activity is low but increasing nationally.
It's a key cause of seasonal flu, alongside influenza A subtype H1N1 and influenza B viruses. But H3N2 has gained attention in recent months after developing a large number of mutations. This version is now known as H3N2 subclade K.
The surge has been dominated by a strain of the Influenza A type virus known as Subclade K, which medical professionals are calling a “super flu.” Medical staff at the University of Kansas Health System recommend getting the flu vaccine if you haven't yet, even though it is not an exact match to this variant.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of the common cold caused by the rhinovirus include sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, headaches, and body aches. Infants and children may develop fever, and otitis media. Infants may develop more severe diseases such as croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia.
Drink plenty of fluids and get a lot of rest. Use over-the-counter medications as instructed on the packaging, like decongestants, cough medicine, antihistamines, or pain medication. Gargle with a mixture of salt dissolved in warm water.
Vitamins C and D, zinc, and Echinacea have evidence-based efficacy on these immune system barriers. This review includes 82 eligible studies to consider the preventive role of these nutrients in immune clusters and in CC to provide advice on dosage and assumption of these nutrients.
sore throat with swollen tonsils that may have white patches. swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck. being very tired.
Symptoms include severe pain when swallowing and swollen, red tonsils. The diagnosis is based on an examination of the throat. If untreated, throat infection that is caused by bacteria may cause an abscess to form in the tonsils. Taking analgesics relieves pain; a streptococcal infection is treated with antibiotics.