Everything is easier if the throat is healthy

We can imagine life as a pleasant show that we enjoy very much. But when a sore throat appears unexpectedly, it changes the show and destroys the comfort of our everyday life. That’s when we wish to have an effective solution at hand that would help us feel better quickly.

Sore throat and difficulty swallowing

Sore throat is associated with a variety of symptoms, but the most common are unpleasant itching and scratching in the throat, a burning sensation, pain on swallowing, dryness of the throat and pharynx, swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes, as well as hoarseness and pain when speaking. The most unpleasant aspect of having a sore throat is the pain on swallowing as it prevents basic functions, which can be quite annoying.

Acute sore throat – usually occurs due to an infection

Many people believe that the common cold is caused by exposure to cold weather and draught. Scientists claim the opposite, stating that neither food nor increased physical activity or enlarged tonsils in the oral cavity have any effect on infection. (1)

We often think of a severe sore throat symptom as angina and feel we need to take an antibiotic. Angina is a disease that occurs between childhood and early 20s. In adults, actual angina cases are rare, since we are most commonly dealing with a viral infection that does not require an antibiotic. (2)

Viruses are the most common cause of acute sore throat, accounting for 90% of all cases. Bacteria come second, and to a lesser extent physical or chemical irritations. Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common infectious diseases, but the exact incidence is not known because patients rarely visit a doctor. It is most common in children over 3 years of age and in adults between 18 and 40 years of age. (3)

Studies confirm that psychological stress, the menstrual cycle, smoky and poorly ventilated rooms as well as allergic diseases affecting the respiratory tract increase susceptibility to infection. (3, 4)

Treating a sore throat

On average, adults get 2 to 4 colds a year, and children 6 to 8. Colds are caused by more than 200 different types of viruses, so after catching a cold that is caused by one of them, we do not become immune to other viruses. (5)

In a mild form of inflammation or upper respiratory tract infection we can take matters into our own hands. The mouth and the pharynx are constantly inhabited by microorganisms. Enzymes and antibodies in the saliva and oral mucosa are the first line of defence against a wider infection. If mucosa’s defences are weakened, i.e. in the case of a weaker immune system, chronic diseases or negative impact from the environment, microorganisms may start to proliferate and cause inflammation and upper respiratory tract infections. (6)

Since infection is mostly viral (90% of cases), treatment is symptomatic, which means that its goal is to relieve symptoms of infection as soon as possible. It is recommended to take oral antiseptics that will destroy the microbes and prevent the infection from spreading. Since sore throat is often accompanied by pain, a self-medication remedy may be even more effective if it also contains a local analgesic that has painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties. (3, 4)

We can do a lot ourselves to prevent viral and bacterial infections. The World Health Organisation recommends regular and thorough hand washing. Proper hand washing should take as long as it takes to sing the song Happy Birthday twice. (7)

Sore throat, your show is over!

When treating a sore throat it is important to relieve the symptoms and also to remove the cause of the infection. When you have a sore throat and need a quick and effective solution, lozenges are the right choice to have on hand at all times. Septolete total* lozenges and sprays stand out among the products for the treatment of sore and painful throat due to their unique composition.

Their triple strength simultaneously:

• relieves pain quickly,
• reduces inflammation and
• removes the cause of infection.

Septolete total is a reliable choice for problems with sore throat in all stages, from mild scratching to annoying pain. Choose triple strength and tell your sore throat, ‘Your game is over!’

* Krka has registered a wide range of products in different countries. There are differences in registration and availability of our products among the countries.

Some products may also have a different brand name in different countries. Please contact your local representative office for up-to-date details specific for your country or visit the available Krka’s local web pages.

Reference

1. Castellani JW, M Brenner IK, Rhind SG. Cold exposure: human immune responses and intracellular cytokine expression. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 Dec;34(12):2013-20.
2. Tonsilitis [internet]. The Royal Children’s Hospital. [cited 2021 Jul 8].
   Available from: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Tonsillitis/#:~:text=It%20is%20common%20for%20tonsils,fever%20can%20cause%20severe%20tonsillitis.
3. Worrall G. Acute sore throat. Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(7):791-794.
4. Sore Throat 101: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment [internet]. Healthline [cited 2021 Jul 8]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/sore-throat#symptoms
5. Heikkinen T, Järvinen A. The common cold. Lancet. 2003;361(9351):51-59.
6. Fábián TK, Hermann P, Beck A, Fejérdy P, Fábián G. Salivary defense proteins: their network and role in innate and acquired oral immunity. Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(4):4295-4320.
7. Handwashing can’t stop – millions of lives are at stake [internet]. World Health Organization [cited 2021 Jul 8]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/handwashing-can-t-stop-millions-of-lives-are-at-stake