We’ve all had a sore throat and shrugged it off as a common cold. Most of the time, that’s true—it clears up in a few days. But sometimes, a sore throat is the body’s way of signaling something more serious.

A sore throat that lingers longer than a week, comes with difficulty swallowing, one-sided pain, or a lump in the neck can point to conditions beyond a simple infection. Tonsillitis, acid reflux, allergies, or even nerve-related issues can be behind it. Rarely, persistent sore throats may be linked to growths or early signs of cancer in the throat area.

The tricky part? Early symptoms often feel the same, whether it’s a harmless irritation or something that needs urgent care. That’s why doctors recommend paying attention to duration, severity, and accompanying symptoms.