The crossword solution for the term 'throat malady, for short' is STREP, which is an abbreviation for Streptococcal pharyngitis, a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. It is commonly referred to as strep throat and is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and white patches on the tonsils. Treatment typically involves antibiotics.