What causes a sore throat?

A sore throat is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor. A scratchy, burning, painful throat can have a variety of causes. They include viruses, bacteria, voice straining, ingesting hot or irritating foods, dry air or smoking. Some health problems, such as reflux, tumors, allergies, chronic coughing or throat surgery can also cause a sore throat. To get rid of that sore throat pain and get on with your life, you can count on Cepacol® – the #1 sore throat brand in hospitals!

More severe sore throats can point to more serious problems, especially if they last more than 3 days and are accompanied by high-grade fever, swollen glands and difficulty breathing. If this is the case, see your doctor.

Viral Sore Throats

The most common cause for a sore throat are viral infections such as the common cold or flu. Viral sore throats do not respond to antibiotic treatments.

Symptoms of Viral Sore Throat	Treatment for Viral Sore Throats
Redness at back of throat Scratchy, raw, burning feeling Low grade fever Painful swallowing Post nasal drip Coughing Runny nose Headache	Increase fluids – 8 to 12 glasses a day Plenty of rest Moisten air with a vaporizer Cepacol® Dual Relief Sore Throat + Coating Spray before bedtime Maximum Numbing Cepacol® Sore Throat Lozenges Cepacol® Sore Throat + Cough Lozenges or Cepacol® Dual Relief Sore Throat + Cough Spray if accompanied by cough

Bacterial Sore Throats

Strep throat is a painful condition caused by streptococcal bacteria. Your doctor can diagnose Strep by taking a culture with a cotton swab from the back of the throat. Strep must be treated with an antibiotic to prevent complications such as rhermatic fever or glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation).

Symptoms of Strep Throat	Treatment for Strep Throat
Burning, raw, scratchy throat Difficulty swallowing White or yellow coating of the tonsils Swollen glands in the neck Fever over 101° F Headache	A course of antibiotics as prescribed by a physician Maximum Numbing Cepacol® Sore Throat with Pain Relief Lozenges, Maximum Numbing Cepacol® Sore Throat + Coating Relief Lozenges or Cepacol® Dual Relief Sore Throat + Coating Spray to relieve pain while the prescription treats the infection Easily swallowed foods, ice cream, milk shakes Bed rest Ample fluids Warm, moist towel on neck to soothe swollen glands Moisten air with a vaporizer Avoid irritants like smoke, dust

Symptoms of Strep Throat

Treatment for Strep Throat

Burning, raw, scratchy throat
Difficulty swallowing
White or yellow coating of the tonsils
Swollen glands in the neck
Fever over 101° F
Headache

A course of antibiotics as prescribed by a physician
Maximum Numbing Cepacol® Sore Throat with Pain Relief Lozenges, Maximum Numbing Cepacol® Sore Throat + Coating Relief Lozenges or Cepacol® Dual Relief Sore Throat + Coating Spray to relieve pain while the prescription treats the infection
Easily swallowed foods, ice cream, milk shakes
Bed rest
Ample fluids
Warm, moist towel on neck to soothe swollen glands
Moisten air with a vaporizer
Avoid irritants like smoke, dust

Environmental Sore Throat

Sometimes the air we breathe can make our throats sore. In the wintertime, low ambient humidity and indoor heating systems can dry out the air causing throat irritation and soreness. Cepacol® Dual Relief Sore Throat + Coating Spray and Maximum Numbing Cepacol® Sore Throat Lozenges quickly eliminate these types of sore throat discomfort by numbing pain fast.