Waking up to a sore throat or ear pain is no fun, but experiencing both simultaneously? What a pain—literally! When you consider that the ears, nose, and throat are connected, it’s no wonder a sore throat and ear pain often occur together.
A sore throat can indeed cause ear pain due to this interconnectedness. The inflammation and irritation in the throat can radiate to the ear, leading to discomfort.
Here, we explore ear pain and sore throat symptoms and causes and share remedies and treatments to help you get back in tip-top shape.
When you have a sore throat, it might feel dry and scratchy, and you could find it painful to swallow or cough. A sore throat is a common symptom of allergies, a cold or other upper respiratory infections.
Ear pain, on the other hand, is more likely in children than adults but can occur at any age. Ear pain might feel dull, sharp or like a burning sensation. Or, if you have a cold, your ear—or ears—might feel plugged.
Sore throat and earache with no fever can be caused by several conditions. Commonly, this combination may indicate a viral infection, such as the common cold, which can lead to throat irritation and ear discomfort without accompanying fever. Allergies and postnasal drip can also result in these symptoms due to inflammation and mucus accumulation, causing a sore throat and ear pain.
In contrast, sore throat and ear pain with fever often suggest a more serious infection, such as bacterial tonsillitis or ear infection (otitis media). The presence of fever typically indicates that the body is fighting an infection, and the inflammation can cause pain in both the throat and ears. In these cases, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
You likely have a handful of questions. Can sore throats cause ear pain? Are my sore throat and ear pain related? And perhaps most pressing, what is the root of this discomfort? There are many possible causes, including the following:
Acid reflux is stomach acid that flows back into the esophagus—the tube connecting the mouth and stomach. When this backwash occurs repeatedly, it can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The most common symptom of acid reflux is heartburn—a burning sensation in the chest—but a sore throat is also common. From feeling like there’s a lump in the throat to inflamed vocal cords (laryngitis), there are several reasons you may have a sore throat when experiencing acid reflux.
But how are acid reflux, sore throat and ear pain related? The acid from GERD can affect the nasopharynx, which is the part of your throat that’s behind your nose. The nasopharynx is connected to the eustachian tubes of your ears, so irritation in one can lead to problems—and pain—in the other.
Can strep throat cause a sore throat and ear pain? Let’s address this in two parts. One of the most common symptoms of this generally mild yet very uncomfortable disease is a sore throat. It may hurt to swallow, feel dry or itchy, and your throat may look red with swollen tonsils dotted with white patches of pus.
While strep throat doesn’t cause ear pain, it can spur an ear infection, which might be painful. This happens when the bacteria travels from the throat into the middle ear.
Mononucleosis, or mono for short, is a virus that spreads through saliva and is sometimes misdiagnosed as strep throat because of similar symptoms like a sore throat and swollen tonsils and lymph nodes.
Unlike strep, where the tonsils tend to turn red with white patches or streaks, mono causes the tonsils to develop a white-yellow covering. Again, because the throat and ears have many connections, it’s not uncommon for ear pain, mononucleosis, sore throat and other symptoms to occur at the same time.
Experiencing a sore throat and earache on just one side either the left or the right can indicate several conditions, including:
Experiencing a sore throat and ear pain on one side can raise concerns, especially in light of COVID-19. While these symptoms may stem from various conditions, they can also indicate a possible viral infection.
In the context of COVID-19, a sore throat may occur due to inflammation caused by the virus, which can lead to pain radiating to the ear on the same side. Additionally, sinus congestion, common in COVID-19 cases, can create pressure that affects both the throat and the ear, often localized to one side.
It’s also worth noting that a COVID-19 infection can compromise the immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections, such as an ear infection, which may present with pain on one side.
Experiencing sore throat and ear pain on one side when swallowing can indicate several conditions. This unilateral pain often suggests a localized issue, such as tonsillitis, where one tonsil is inflamed, leading to discomfort in the throat and referred pain to the ear.
Another possibility is pharyngitis, which can cause irritation on one side of the throat, triggering pain during swallowing and potentially affecting the ear. Additionally, an ear infection can cause referred pain in the throat when swallowing, particularly if the Eustachian tube is involved. If these symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
An earache with a sore throat often signals an underlying infection affecting the upper respiratory tract. This combination can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nasal congestion or cough, and highlights the interconnectedness of these areas in the body.
A headache accompanied by earache and a sore throat may be a sign of various conditions. Most commonly, a sinus infection or sinus congestion can cause pressure in the head, leading to a headache, while trapped fluid in the ears results in ear pain. Postnasal drip from this congestion can irritate the throat as well. In other cases, tension headaches can trigger discomfort in nearby areas, such as the ears and throat.
Experiencing jaw pain, earache, and a sore throat together can be caused by several interconnected conditions. One common issue is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder, where jaw dysfunction can lead to pain that radiates to the ears and throat. Ear infections or Eustachian tube dysfunction can also result in ear and jaw pain, as well as throat discomfort. Another possibility is tonsillitis or pharyngitis, where throat inflammation can cause referred pain to the jaw and ears.
A combination of earache, sore throat, and runny nose is typically associated with upper respiratory infections. Viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, often cause these symptoms as the virus inflames the respiratory tract. The runny nose is a result of excess mucus production, which can also irritate the throat. Additionally, earaches can occur due to pressure or fluid buildup in the ears, often caused by nasal congestion or Eustachian tube dysfunction. Allergies might also cause similar symptoms.
A combination of sore throat, earache, and cough often suggests an upper respiratory infection. Viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, commonly cause these symptoms as they lead to inflammation in the throat and ears, resulting in soreness and referred pain. The cough may develop as a response to throat irritation or excess mucus production. Additionally, conditions like sinus infections can cause postnasal drip, leading to a sore throat, ear discomfort, and a persistent cough.
A canker sore, combined with throat and earache, could be related to several factors. Canker sores, or aphthous ulcers, are painful sores inside the mouth that can cause discomfort when eating or speaking. If a canker sore is located near the throat, it may cause referred pain to the ear, as the throat and ear are connected by nerves. Viral infections, such as a cold, can also cause mouth ulcers, along with throat and ear pain due to inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.
A combination of sore throat, neck pain, and earache often suggests underlying issues related to the neck. Muscle strain or tension in the neck, possibly due to poor posture and stress can lead to discomfort that radiates to the throat and ears. Conditions like tonsillitis may also lead to swelling in the throat, which can create pressure and discomfort in the neck region. Furthermore, swollen lymph nodes in the neck due to infections can contribute to pain and tenderness in both the throat and ears.
If you've been experiencing a sore throat and ear pain for three weeks, it's important to take the following steps:
Luckily, there are many treatments to alleviate a sore throat and earache. While some are safe to try at home, others require a medical professional. Read on for how to treat ear pain and sore throat.
There are several sore throat and ear pain remedies to try at home before seeking professional help.
While most throat and ear pain goes away within a week without treatment, your doctor may consider the following sore throat and ear pain remedies if you’re experiencing severe discomfort or unusual symptoms:
Make an appointment to see a doctor immediately if a high fever or stiff neck accompanies your sore throat and ear pain. If you experience any of the following, head to the emergency room for immediate attention: difficulty breathing or swallowing, drooling or a high-pitched sound when breathing (also known as stridor).
