health

Sore throats are very common, especially in children. It is not unusual for
children between the 5 and 10 years of age to develop several sore throat
infections over the course of a year. Most of these illnesses are common
viral respiratory infections. About 15 percent of all sore throats are caused
by group A streptococci.
All of the infections that cause sore throats are contagious. They can
spread through contact with drops of fluid from an infected person that
can be coughed or sneezed into the air. The drops can be inhaled or transferred
by the hand to the mouth or nose. The infections that cause sore
throats also can spread through direct contact with an infected person,
such as through kissing.