Sore Throat, Strep Throat, or Tonsillitis: What's the Difference?
Sore Throat, Strep Throat, or Tonsillitis: What's the Difference?
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Not all sore throats are the same, but Cepacol® is here to help. Whether it’s a scratchy irritation, strep throat, or tonsillitis, Cepacol®’s range of soothing lozenges1, hot medication2&3, and the new raspberry-flavoured effervescent4 explores the differences between a sore throat, strep throat and tonsillitis.
The scratchy throat
If you regularly breathe through your mouth, especially while sleeping, you might wake up with a dry, irritated throat.5a The good news is that the soreness usually improves after drinking some water, as hydration helps soothe the irritation.5b
Strep Throat
Strep Throat is a contagious bacterial infection6a that comes on quickly, usually two to five days after exposure to the bacteria.6b Aside from a sore throat, other common signs may include fever,6c swollen glands in the neck,6d headache,6e red spots on the roof of the mouth,6f and swollen tonsils with red or white streaks.6g Unlike colds, strep throat doesn’t usually cause a cough, hoarseness, or runny nose. If you have those symptoms, a viral respiratory infection is more likely the culprit.6h
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is what happens when your tonsils get inflamed.7a Around 70% of cases come from viruses like the flu (influenza viruses), while the rest are caused by bacteria, such as strep (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus).7b If your tonsils are acting up, you might notice a sore throat,7c bad breath,7d fatigue,7e and swollen lymph nodes in your neck.7f Viral tonsillitis usually gets better without additional treatment while bacterial tonsillitis might need a round of antibiotics.7g
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Beat The Scratch With Cepacol® New Raspberry-Flavoured Effervescent4
Cepacol® offers a wide range of products, including the newly launched Cepacol® Effervescent - a fizzy, raspberry-flavoured formula designed to provide soothing, double-duty relief for the whole family (ages 6 and up).
Cepacol® Effervescent4 helps to relief symptoms of cold and flu such as sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing and cough, assisting with the opening of the airways, thinning of mucus and providing relief of coughs associated with inflammation of the airways. It also supports the immune function within the upper respiratory tract and provides antioxidant support for the maintenance of good health.
In addition to Cepacol®’s newly launched raspberry-flavoured effervescent4, the Cepacol® range includes cough and cold syrup8, Plus cough and cold syrup9 specifically designed for nighttime relief, a throat spray10 and throat gargle11, Medsip, a hot medicated drink2&3 in either ginger or honey lemon flavours, and throat lozenges1 in four flavours - regular, black current, honey & lemon and menthol.
So, when you're dealing with a sore throat, remember, there's a Cepacol® for that!
Embrace the Winter Warrior within, with Cepacol®
As we brace ourselves for the winter months, it's wise to be prepared. Adcock Ingram's Winter Warriors 2025 Campaign offers a range of products aimed at combating common cold and flu symptoms. With brands like Cepacol®, Panado®, Compral®, and ViralGuard™, you can arm yourself and your loved ones against the seasonal sniffles.
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Cepacol®’s, new range of products is now available at leading pharmacies and retailers nationwide. For more information and references, visit www.cepacol.co.za and join the conversation on Facebook.
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1. CEPACOL® Throat Lozenges approved professional information, October 2014.
2. CEPACOL® Medsip Ginger Approved Professional Information, March 1993.
3. CEPACOL® Medsip Honey Lemon (Powder) approved package insert, August 2009.
4. CEPACOL® Effervescent approved professional information, August 2024.
5. Healthline. Why Do I Have a Persistent Sore Throat? Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/persistent-sore-throat#causes. Last accessed May 2025.
6. ENThealth. Tonsillitis. Available from: https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/tonsillitis/. Last accessed May 2025.
7. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Strep Throat. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/strep-throat. Last accessed May 2025.
8. CEPACOL® Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022.
9. CEPACOL® Plus Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022.
10. CEPACOL® Throat Spray approved professional information, February 2022.
11. CEPACOL® Antibacterial Throat Gargle (solution) approved professional information, August 2005.
