Neck and Throat

Many people have a sore throat next to neck pain. This common combination of symptoms has several possible causes, ranging from mild infections to more severe conditions. There are several structures in the neck, including:

The throat (pharynx)
the cervical spine
Nerves
Blood and lymph vessels
Lymph nodes
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons;

Causes

The muscles, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels in the neck overlap and surround the throat. There are also blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves in the throat. It also includes tonsils, oesophagus (food pipe), trachea (windpipe) and epiglottis. A condition which affects one of these structures may affect one or more of the others. Conditions that may cause symptoms in the throat and neck include:

Infection: Viral and bacterial infections that start in the throat can lead to painful inflammation of the surrounding muscles of the neck. Infections also trigger the lymphatic system, that contains white blood cells that kill invasive microbes. The system also collects toxins and other waste material from the body.

Examples of infections that can cause sore throat and pain in the neck include:

Cold and flu: Common colds and flu are two common types of viral infections that affect the respiratory system. Cold and flu can lead to sore throats and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck. People who have a common cold can experience:

Body Pain
Sneezing and coughing
Discomfort in the chest
Mild fever

These symptoms also happen to people with flu. However, flu symptoms are generally more severe than those of a cold. People who have flu may also experience:

Fever
Headache
Chills
Muscle weakness
Body pain
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting

Tonsillitis: The inflammation of tonsils which are oval-shaped mounds of soft tissue in the back of the throat, is known as tonsillitis. Bacterial and viral infections may lead to tonsillitis. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, swelling of the tonsils and lymph nodes in the neck.

Strep throat: Strep throat, also called pharyngitis, occurs when bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes infects the throat. People with strep throat may experience the following symptoms:

The sudden appearance of a sore throat
Pain while swallowing
Red and swollen tonsils
White spots, patches, or striations of pus on the surface of the throat
Red spots in the mouth
Tender and swollen lymph nodes
Headache
Fever
Body pain
Fatigue

Mononucleosis: Mononucleosis is a viral infection common among adolescents and young adults. Human herpesvirus 4, also known as Epstein-Barr (EBV), is the most common cause of mononucleosis. Other viruses that may cause mononucleosis to include:

HIV / AIDS
Hep A, B, or C
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Toxoplasmosis
Rubella
Adenovirus
Symptoms include the following:
a sore throat
A Fever
Swollen lymph nodes that are in the armpit and neck
Fatigue
Headache
Body pain
Muscle weakness
red skin rash
Swelling of the spleen or liver

Gonorrhoea: Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STI) that may infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. Gonorrhoea is one of the most widespread STIs, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), especially among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24. The CDC also estimates that 1,14 million new gonorrhoea infections occur annually in the United States.

Gonorrhoeal infections of the throat may lead to:

A sore throat
Swelling and redness in the throat
Swollen lymph node
Difficult swallowing

Symptoms of flu, such as headache, fever and chills

Allergies: Airborne and food allergies may lead to irritation and swelling of the throat.

People who have airborne allergies, like hay fever, may have itching or a sore throat when they come in contact with pollen, dust, animal dander, or mould. Other symptoms of airborne allergy include:

Runny nose or stuffy nose
Itchy and Watery eyes
Cough
Sneezing
Fatigue

Some people have food-related allergies that can cause sore, itchy throat, as well as:

Itching or tingling in the mouth
The redness and swelling of the lips and mouth
hives
Congestion of the nose
Sneezing
Wheezing
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness

GERD’s: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when food, fluid, or acid returns from the stomach to the throat. The main symptom of GERD is heartburn, but it can also cause a variety of symptoms related to the throat, including sore throat. Other symptoms include: