what are the causes of severe throat pain?
['Colds, the flu, and other viral infections. Viruses cause about 90 percent of sore throats ( 2 ). ... ', 'Strep throat and other bacterial infections. ... ', 'Allergies. ... ', 'Dry air. ... ', 'Smoke, chemicals, and other irritants. ... ', 'Injury. ... ', 'Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ... ', 'Tumor.']