Persons most commonly affected: All age groups and both sexes except young babies.

Organ or part of body involved: Throat and tonsils.

Symptoms and indications: Difficult, painful swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat and possibly fever and swollen glands. The throat may look red and inflamed or be covered by a grey-coloured membrane with pus discharge.

Causes and risk factors: It may be the first sign of flu, a cold, pharyngitis, laryngitis, or tonsillitis, as well as several common childhood illnesses, such as chicken pox, measles, and mumps

Prevention: Clean your hands frequently, especially before eating. This is a powerful way to help prevent many sore throat infections. You might avoid some sore throats by reducing contact with people with sore throats, but often these people are contagious even before they have symptoms, so this approach is less effective.
Not too long ago, tonsils were commonly removed in an attempt to prevent sore throats. This is no longer recommended in most circumstances.
A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can prevent some sore throats caused by breathing dry air with an open mouth.