A viral throat infection is one caused by a cold or another virus that settles into the throat area. Once the throat becomes infected by one such virus, swelling, discomfort, irritation and pain persists. Examples of a viral throat infection include pharyngitis, laryngitis and mononucleosis.

The viral throat infection known as pharyngitis is contracted by breathing in an airborne virus such as the rhinovirus, which is also known as the common cold. Often, such infections spread by infected persons coughing or sneezing into the air. Besides the common cold, influenza may also cause this particular type of infection. Symptoms of pharyngitis include a sore throat, pain when swallowing, an itchy throat, inflammation and redness in the throat area.

Laryngitis is another type of viral throat infection. Caused by the influenza virus, the rhinovirus or bronchitis, laryngitis is characterized by a swelling of the larynx, also known as the voice box. Although inflammation is a tell-tale symptom of this type of viral throat infection, another unique symptom is a temporarily distorted speaking voice. Some people infected with laryngitis find it difficult to do much more than whisper while infection is present. While most throat infections are rather painful, laryngitis is not necessarily so and, in many instances, a tickle at the back of the throat is all that is felt before the voice is lost.

Most throat infections do not last long and disappear within a few days just by increasing rest and fluid consumption. Mononucleosis, however, is a viral throat infection that can take up to several months to completely heal. Dubbed the kissing disease, mononucleosis is often passed through kissing or eating after an infected person. Once the infection is passed to a new host, it lies dormant without any visible symptoms for several weeks. When symptoms such as sore throat, fever, weakness, headache and fatigue do set in, they may linger for a few days or a few months and are only treatable by rest and fluids.

Strep throat is another very painful throat infection. It is not, however, a viral throat infection, but is classified as a bacterial throat infection, instead. Caused by a unique strain of bacteria known as Streptococcus, the symptoms of strep throat are just as painful as a viral throat infection and include a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills, headache, nausea and loss of appetite. Some people also experience an unusual skin rash thought to be an allergic response to the Streptococcus bacteria.