Why Do I Have a Sore Throat on One Side?
Lauren Coin
| 3 min read
Lauren Coin is a summer 2025 Corporate Communication...
Key Takeaways
- A sore throat on one side can be caused by various factors, including viral or bacterial infections, postnasal drip, tonsillitis, laryngitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Mild cases of a one-sided sore throat can be treated at home with remedies such as drinking plenty of water, gargling warm saltwater and using a humidifier or vaporizer.
- If a sore throat persists for more than a week or is accompanied by severe symptoms like trouble breathing, high fever or blood in saliva, seek medical attention from your primary care provider.
Many people experience sore throats from time to time; however, feeling pain or irritation on just one side may prompt a closer look at potential causes.
Learn more about the possible reasons behind your one-sided discomfort, as well as accompanying symptoms, at home treatments and when you should see a doctor.
Potential causes
A sore throat on one side could be caused by several different illnesses, infections or injuries.
Viral or bacterial infection
A viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, is the most common cause of a sore throat, according to the Mayo Clinic. This type of infection can cause pain on both sides of the throat or be isolated to one area. Symptoms of a viral infection may include a runny nose, red or watery eyes or coughing, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Strep throat, one of the most common bacterial infections, is caused by group A Streptococcus, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Bacterial infections are more severe than viral ones, as they can cause inflamed tonsils and swollen lymph nodes. Strep throat may be accompanied by a fever, abdominal pain and nausea.
Postnasal drip
Postnasal drip is caused by a buildup of excess mucus that drips down the back of the throat, per the Cleveland Clinic. Depending on how this mucus drains, it may cause increased discomfort to one side of the throat. Other symptoms include coughing and hoarseness.
Tonsillitis
Per the Mayo Clinic, tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are two round pads of tissue at the back of the throat, with one tonsil on each side. It’s possible for just one tonsil to be inflamed at a time, which could be a reason for one-sided soreness.
Some symptoms of tonsillitis include white or yellow coating on the tonsils, trouble swallowing, fever and bad breath.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, also known as the voice box, according to the Mayo Clinic. When the two vocal cords inside the voice box become irritated, they swell and cause hoarseness. If one vocal cord is more irritated than the other, pain may be felt more severely on one side.
A dry cough, tickling sensation and loss of voice may accompany the sore throat.
GERD
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition in which stomach contents move up into the esophagus, often causing heartburn. This frequent acid reflux can damage the esophagus or respiratory tract and may cause irritation to one or both sides of the throat.
Injury
An isolated injury to the throat can cause pain on just one side. Burns from hot food or drinks or cuts from sharp edges of food are some examples of common throat injuries.
How do I treat a sore throat on one side?
How you treat a one-sided sore throat depends on the cause. At home remedies can often be used to treat mild conditions such as viral infections or postnasal drip.
Consider these treatments for less severe symptoms:
- Drink plenty of water and warm liquids
- Gargle warm saltwater
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer
- Cough drops or lozenges
- Decongestants
More severe cases of tonsillitis, laryngitis and bacterial infections may require prescribed antibiotics from your primary care provider (PCP). Be sure to talk to your PCP if your sore throat has developed alongside other digestive issues, as this could be indicative of GERD.
The Cleveland Clinic advises seeking medical attention if your sore throat has lasted longer than a week or is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- High fever
- Body rash
- Blood in your saliva
- Visible bulge at the back of the throat
Photo credit: Getty Images
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