What Is Causing Your Sore Throat And How BETADINEⓇ Throat Spray and NEW BETADINEⓇ Sore Throat Lozenges Can Help You

What is causing my sore throat?

You can get a sore throat for many reasons. The cause is usually infectious, with most cases being viral, others bacterial. Whether caused by a virus or bacteria, most cases are relatively harmless, self-limiting (5-7 days), and can be quickly relieved and treated.

 Bacterial sore throat

A bacterial sore throat is often called strep throat because it is most commonly caused by bacteria known as group A Streptococcus. However, other atypical pathogens can also cause this type of sore throat. Even so, antibiotics covering typical and atypical pathogens should not be routinely used to treat sore throats. 

Strep throat (caused by group A strep) gives rise to about 5% to 36% of sore throat cases. With strep throat, symptoms can develop quickly and include: an absence of a cough or flu, fever, fluid from the tonsils (tonsillar exudates), and painful swelling in the neck.

 Viral sore throat

On the other hand, a viral sore throat is caused by inflammation from a viral infection. Viruses account for 50% to 80% of sore throats, with the most common viruses being rhinovirus, influenza, adenovirus, and parainfluenza. Unlike sore throats caused by bacteria, viral sore throats do not require antibiotics. Symptoms include coughing, flu, pink eye, headache, and rash. 

 How can I tell if my sore throat is caused by bacteria or a virus?

To self-check, you can use the Centor scoring method to help determine the cause of your sore throat. The Centor criteria method is used to measure the likelihood of a bacterial sore throat. It consists of 4 scores. If you score 3 points or more, it is highly possible you have a bacterial sore throat. If you score less than 3 points, you may have a viral sore throat. 

The 4 points are as follows:

● Fluid from the tonsils or white spots on the area
● History of fever nearby the onset of symptoms
● The absence of a cough, as a cough is more likely to be caused by a viral infection
● Small and painful swelling on the side of the neck near the lymph nodes.

You can use the table below to check your symptoms.

How to treat a sore throat at home 

Most sore throats do not last very long and go away on their own in a few days. Still, being proactive and taking immediate action can help prevent your symptoms from worsening and speed up recovery.

● Get as much rest as possible.
● Stay hydrated with lots of water and clear fluids.
● Keep the air from getting too dry with a humidifier.
● Take your prescribed medication.
● Use a medicated throat spray such as BETADINEⓇ Throat Spray 
● Use NEW BETADINEⓇ Sore Throat Lozenges to soothes sore throats and helps kill bacteria which can cause sore throat

Treat using the BETADINEⓇ Throat spray

BETADINEⓇ Throat spray contains 0.45% Povidone-Iodine and kills most of sore throat causing viruses and bacteria*. Providing fast and soothing relief in as early as 30 seconds, it is convenient to carry and easy to use.

Treatment for young children

For young children who do not know how to gargle or might choke on lozenges, you can try using BETADINEⓇ Throat spray. It is also safe to be used in children 6 years and above. Just spray into the back of the throat every 3-4 hours.

Sooth & Relief using the NEW BETADINEⓇ Sore Throat Lozenges

NEW BETADINEⓇ Sore Throat Lozenges Contains AMC/DCBA* that help provide rapid symptomatic pain relief in as early as 5 minutes. NEW BETADINEⓇ Sore Throat Lozenges has antimicrobial effect with double antibacterial action.

*Amylmetacresol / 2,4-dichlorobenzyl Alcohol (DCBA)

Consider seeing a doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms

Most sore throats resolve on their own within 5 to 7 days; however, if your symptoms persist after several days of self-treatment, a doctor’s attention is necessary. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends seeing a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

● Difficulty swallowing or breathing
● Drooling 
● Face or neck swelling
● Sore throat that lasts longer than a week
● High-pitched sounds when you breathe (stridor)
● Rash
● Blood in saliva or mucus
● High fever (38.3℃ or above)

Read more about the BETADINE® Sore Throat Gargle and BETADINE® Sore Throat Sprayand NEW BETADINEⓇ Sore Throat Lozenges. For the complete cold and flu (influenza) treatment line, read more about it here.

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References: Brand website (Philippines). POVIDONE-IODINE BETADINE® https://ph.betadine.global/en/ph/cold-and-flu/products/povidone-iodine-betadine-oral-care-products | Pharyngitis. Retrieved 11 January 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519550/ | Mayo Clinic. Sore throat diagnosis and treatment. 11 January 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640?p=1 | MedicineNet. How do I know if my sore throat is viral or bacterial? 28 February 2022. https://www.medicinenet.com/how_do_i_know_my_sore_throat_is_viral_or_bacterial/article.htm | National Institutes of Health. Soothing a sore throat. March 2013. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/03/soothing-sore-throat | NHS. Sore throat. 5 February 2021. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/ | Medical News Today. How to deal with a sore throat. 17 January 2022. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311449 | Tan TW, et al. JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2017;15(4):862–872 | Shephard A, et al. Antiviral Res. 2015;123:158–62 | Matthews D, et al. Int J Gen Med. 2018;11:451–456

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