# Why does postnasal drip cause a sore throat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538 "2017-03-19T12:09:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/1 "2017-03-19T12:09:11Z")
Is it just because of the coughing, or is mucus itself corrosive to the throat lining? Also, while we’re on the subject, why does a cold sometimes cause the roof of your mouth to get all smooth and sore? And for the love of Og, would someone just put me out of my misery already? _sniffle_ ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/2 "2017-03-19T13:13:20Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > **Why does postnasal drip cause a sore throat?** Not your area of expertise? I think it’s just the constant irritation of the relatively sensitive mucous membrane. mmm ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/3 "2017-03-19T13:31:46Z")
I am not a doctor … but I’ll hazard that the two sympathies are caused by the same virus … rather than one symphony causing the other … You have my complete symptomies … ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/4 "2017-03-19T14:14:50Z")
It’s not the drip itself, it’s the virus messing with your nose also being in your throat. Your antibodies like to do a scorched earth policy when killing viruses. Since Mr virus likes to hijack cell info and cells and try to mask its presence, and the antibodies know his vicinity but now his exact location, they fire bomb the entire area. Kill him, his factories, his family, and some innocent bystanders. Collateral Damage That’s how it was told to me anyways ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/5 "2017-03-19T14:42:09Z")
Try gargling some warm salty water for relief. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/6 "2017-03-19T15:49:05Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > I am not a doctor … but I’ll hazard that the two sympathies are caused by the same virus … rather than one symphony causing the other … > > You have my complete symptomies … > [@Weisshund](#): > > It’s not the drip itself, it’s the virus messing with your nose also being in your throat. > > Your antibodies like to do a scorched earth policy when killing viruses. > Since Mr virus likes to hijack cell info and cells and try to mask its presence, and the antibodies know his vicinity but now his exact location, they fire bomb the entire area. > Kill him, his factories, his family, and some innocent bystanders. > > Collateral Damage > > That’s how it was told to me anyways That’s odd. I coulda sworn I’ve gotten a sore throat from allergy-related postnasal drip several times. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/7 "2017-03-19T15:57:07Z")
There is one type of soar throat caused from nasal drip that will go away immmediately upon clearing your throat. It is sometimes stubborn but once you cough it up the sore throat will be gone. This leads me to believe there is an irritant in the mucous itself. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/8 "2017-03-19T16:22:02Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > You have my complete symptomies … Thanks… (It’s my sister’s 31 birthday party, and we hardly every see her, and I’m huddled down here away from the noise with a headache the size of Alaska). ---
**Author:** ![Beren\_Erchamion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90ced4/32.png) [@Beren\_Erchamion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beren_Erchamion)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/9 "2017-03-19T16:30:33Z")
It comes from a lack of community property, and a feeling she’s getting too old. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/10 "2017-03-19T16:41:07Z")
The virus and your immune system may be attacking your throat, but the drip and coughing makes it ten times worse. If you can reroute the drainage to go out your nose, it’s much better. Avoid laying down on your back with your nose as the highest place on your head. If you do lay down, lay on your side with your face off the side of your pillow. Try to get your nose as the lowest point on your head, so the mucus drains that way. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/11 "2017-03-19T16:53:13Z")
> [@Beren\_Erchamion](#): > > It comes from a lack of community property, and a feeling she’s getting too old. Thanks, Adelaide. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/12 "2017-03-19T17:09:06Z")
If we’re taking about actual sore throat caused by post nasal drip, and not sore throat caused by bacterial infection (like strep throat) or viral infection (like a cold) then the answer is physical strain and irritation caused by friction while coughing, hacking, and snorting to clear the post nasal drip. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/13 "2017-03-25T02:54:48Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Thanks, Adelaide. That was awesome. Although it took several rounds of Googling to figure out. I guess I’ve never seen “Guys and Dolls.” ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/14 "2017-03-25T07:04:21Z")
Rather than calling it “Postnasal Drip,” change your terminology to “Postnasal Glop.” I had an upper respiratory infection with nasty sore throat and accompanying snotty nose. My throat felt like sandpaper: dry, raspy, miserable. The doctor stuck a long Q-tip down my throat for a culture, and I was surprised to see goopy nastiness on the swab! The swab disturbed the Glop, and I was able to spit it out. INSTANT relief from the sore throat! Eureka! I concluded the “Postnasal Glop” clings and accumulates in the back of your throat, and the pressure against your throat tissues is what causes the pain. Gargling with warm water will help break up the Glop, also, giving you relief. I’m sure there is contributory irritation from the viruses and enzymes, but the pressure of that nasty Glop is the chief culprit. In my humble opinion. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/15 "2017-03-25T08:10:45Z")
It seems there are as many theories as people. I always get a sore throat _before_ any other symptoms from a cold. It’s actually the single best sign that I have a cold, as compared to minor allergies. The sniffling and sneezing come about a day later. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538/16 "2017-03-25T12:06:26Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > Rather than calling it “Postnasal Drip,” change your terminology to “Postnasal Glop.” I had an upper respiratory infection with nasty sore throat and accompanying snotty nose. My throat felt like sandpaper: dry, raspy, miserable. The doctor stuck a long Q-tip down my throat for a culture, and I was surprised to see goopy nastiness on the swab! > > The swab disturbed the Glop, and I was able to spit it out. INSTANT relief from the sore throat! Eureka! I concluded the “Postnasal Glop” clings and accumulates in the back of your throat, and the pressure against your throat tissues is what causes the pain. Gargling with warm water will help break up the Glop, also, giving you relief. > > I’m sure there is contributory irritation from the viruses and enzymes, but the pressure of that nasty Glop is the chief culprit. > > In my humble opinion. > > ~VOW Same thing I have experienced, cough it up and instant relief. I doubt it is pressure related. I believe it is an irritant in the mucous.