Chronic Sore Throat

Chronic sore throat is usually caused by noninfectious processes, such as gastrointestinal reflux. Autoimmune diseases, such as pemphigus vulgaris and mucous membrane pemphigoid, are less common etiologies. Malignancy is important to exclude in any patient with chronic throat pain or hoarseness. Infectious causes of these symptoms include Mycobacterium tuberculosis and various types of fungi, such as Candida, Cryptococcus, and endemic fungi (Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, and Paracoccidioides). This chapter reviews the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of various noninfectious and infectious causes of chronic sore throat.