Why Do Sore Throats Feel Worse in the Morning?

Ever noticed how a sore throat can feel worse when you wake up first thing in the morning?¹ Cepacol®, known for its sore throat lozenges², Medsip (hot medications)^3&4, and now new raspberry-flavoured effervescent⁵, highlights three key reasonswhy morning sore throats happen and how to find relief.

Sinus Infection⁶

If you wake up with a sore throat, mucus might be to blame. Normally, your sinuses drain through both your nose and throat without you even noticing.^6a When everything is working smoothly, mucus stays thin and watery, effortlessly moving through your system. But when you’re sick or congested, that system gets thrown off balance. Mucus thickens, your sinuses get backed up, and instead of draining properly through your nose, it trickles down your throat.^6b The more it drains, the more it irritates your throat.

Figuring out whether your sore throat is from a sinus infection or just a common cold can be tricky since both have similar symptoms.^6c However, a sore throat from sinus drainage isn’t like the sharp, sudden pain of a viral infection that comes with fever and chills. Instead, it’s that nagging, scratchy irritation that sticks around as long as your sinuses are clogged. Some people also feel a fullness or pressure in the throat, making the discomfort even worse.^6d

The good news is that most sinus infections clear up on their own.^6e If your symptoms last longer than eight weeks, or you have teeth pain,^6f redness in the face,^6f headache,^6g fatigue,^6h or are coughing up brown mucus or yellow snot,⁶ⁱ you may be dealing with chronic sinusitis, which might require medical treatment.

Allergies^7&8

Starting the day with sore throat even when you’re not sick? You might want to take a closer look at your bedroom – it could be an allergy hotspot.

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, about 74% of us unknowingly spend the night surrounded by three to six allergens.^7a While you’re rolling over, fluffing your pillow, or nudging your cat off the bed, you’re actually stirring up an invisible allergy storm made up of dust mites, pollen, mould, and pet dander.^7b 

Most of us know allergies are an overreaction of your body to certain stimuli,^8a but where does throat pain fit in? Think of mucus as your body’s allergen trap. Allergens get caught in it, preventing them from going deeper into your system.^8b When you blow your nose, for example, out go the trapped allergens, along with all that sticky, gooey mess. But not all allergens get the memo to leave. Some of that mucus, drips down the back of your throat instead (post nasal drip).^8c Allergies can cause swelling at the back of your throat and cause pain.^8d If you know what’s causing your allergies, your first course of action is to try to limit your exposure.^8e

Washing your bedding in hot water weekly,^7c using allergen-proof mattress covers,^7d bathing your pet with an anti-allergen shampoo,^7e getting mould in your home professionally removed,^2f and improving air quality in your bedroom with HEPA filters ^7g can make a huge difference if you suffer from a sore throat due to allergies.

Infectious Illnesses⁹

Sometimes, waking up with a sore throat and nasal congestion means you’re coming down with something contagious, especially if you’re also running a fever.⁹

The flu often brings body aches and fatigue, while coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may include a cough, exhaustion, and the loss of taste and smell. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), although more common in children, can hit adults too, causing sneezing, a sore throat, and a runny nose.⁹

If you’ve got strep throat, you might notice swollen glands in your neck,^10a red spots on the roof of your mouth,^10b or white streaks on your tonsils.^10c In some cases a red rash appears on the body (scarlet fever).^10d Although strep only accounts for 5% to 15% of sore throats in adults,^10e it tends to come with a  painful throat that develops quickly.^10f A cough is usually not a symptom of strep throat.^10g

Beat The Scratch With Cepacol®’s New Raspberry-Flavoured Effervescent⁵ 

Cepacol® knows how frustrating it is to wake up to a new day only to be met with a sore throat. That’s why Cepacol® offers a variety of targeted relief options, including the newly launched Cepacol® Effervescent - a fizzy, raspberry-flavoured formula designed to provide soothing, relief for the whole family (ages 6 and up).

Cepacol® Effervescent⁵ helps to relief symptoms of cold and flu such as sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing and cough, assist with 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 effervescent⁵, therange includescough and cold syrup¹¹, Plus cough and cold syrup¹² specifically designed for nighttime relief, athroat spray¹³ and throatgargle¹⁴, Medsip, a hot medicated drink^3&4 in either ginger or honey lemon flavours, and antibacterial throatlozenges² in four flavours – regular, black current, honey & lemon and menthol. 

So, when you're dealing with a sore throat first thing in the morning, 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.

Cepacol®’s range of products is now available at leading pharmacies and retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.cepacol.co.za and join the conversation on Facebook.

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References:

1. Sleep Foundation. Waking Up With a Dry Throat: What Causes It and How Do You Treat It? Available from: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/waking-up-with-dry-throat. Last accessed June 2025.
2. CEPACOL® Throat Lozenges approved professional information, October 2014.
3. CEPACOL® Medsip Ginger Approved Professional Information, March 1993. 
4. CEPACOL® Medsip Honey Lemon (Powder) approved package insert, August 2009.
5. CEPACOL® Effervescent approved professional information, August 2024. 
6. Kaplan Sinus Relief. Does a Sinus Infection Cause a Sore Throat? Available from: https://www.kaplansinusrelief.com/blog/does-a-sinus-infection-cause-sore-throat/. Last accessed June 2025. 
7. Healthline. Why Am I Waking up with a Stuffy Nose? Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/waking-up-with-stuffy-nose. Last accessed June 2025. 
8. Cleveland Clinic. Relief When Allergies Give You a Sore throat. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/allergies-cause-sore-throat. Last accessed June 2025.
9. Fortune. Why do you have a sore throat when you wake up in the morning? Experts say it’s not always COVID or flu. Available from: https://fortune.com/well/2022/12/19/why-do-you-have-a-sore-throat-when-you-wake-up-in-the-morning-its-not-always-covid-or-flu/. Last accessed June 2025. 
10. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Strep Throat. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/strep-throat. Last accessed June 2025.
11. CEPACOL® Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
12. CEPACOL® Plus Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
13. CEPACOL® Throat Spray approved professional information, February 2022. 
14. CEPACOL® Antibacterial Throat Gargle (solution) approved professional information, August 2005.

09.20251000002288. June 2025.

S0 Cepacol® Throat Lozenges Menthol. Each lozenge contains Cetylpyridinium chloride 1,47 mg; Benzyl alcohol 6,5 mg. Reg. No. 40/16.4/0297. (PI 10/2014).
S0 Cepacol® Throat Lozenges Regular. Each lozenge contains Cetylpyridinium chloride 1,47 mg; Benzyl alcohol 6,5 mg. Ref. No. H 1388 (Act 101 of 1965). (PI 10/2014).
S0 Cepacol® Throat Lozenges Blackcurrant Flavour. Each lozenge contains Cetylpyridinium chloride 1,47 mg; Benzyl alcohol 6,5 mg. Reg. No. 33/16.4/0492. (PI 10/2014)
S0 Cepacol® Throat Lozenges Honey and Lemon Flavour. Each lozenge contains Cetylpyridinium chloride 1,47 mg; Benzyl alcohol 6,5 mg. Reg. No. 33/16.4/0505. (PI 10/2014).
S0 Cepacol® Antibacterial Throat Gargle. Each 100 ml solution contains Cetylpyridinium chloride 50 mg; Alcohol 15,8 % v/v. Ref. No. H 1387 (Act 101 of 1965). (PI 08/2005).
S0 Cepacol® Medsip Ginger. Each 5 g sachet contains Paracetamol 800 mg; Caffeine 50 mg; Ascorbic acid 10 mg. Reg. No. Y/5.8/10. (PI 06/2015).
S0 Cepacol® Medsip Honey Lemon. Each 5 g sachet contains Paracetamol 800 mg; Caffeine 50 mg; Ascorbic acid 10 mg. Reg. No. 27/5.8/0508. (PI 03/1993).
For full prescribing information refer to the Professional Information approved by SAHPRA. Adcock Ingram Limited. Co. Reg. No. 1949/034385/06. Private Bag X69, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa. Customer Care: 0860 ADCOCK/232625. www.adcock.com.
S0 Cepacol® Throat Spray. Each 1 ml contains Pelargonium sidoides (African Geranium) 140 mg; Hedera helix (Ivy) 40 mg; Menthol crystals 0,09 mg; Eucalyptus globules (Eucalyptus oil 2) 0,45 mg; Syzygium aromaticum (Clove oil) 0,3 mg. Category D: Complementary Medicine Discipline Specific: 33.7 Combination Medicine. (PI 02/2022).
S0 Cepacol® Plus Cough and Cold Syrup. Each 5 ml contains Hedera helix (Ivy) 5 mg; Pelargonium sidoides (African Geranium) 150 mg; Valerianae officinalis L. (Valerian) 12mg. CategoryD: Complementary Medicine Discipline Specific: D33.6 Western Herbal Medicine. (PI02/2022).
S0 Cepacol® Cough and Cold Syrup. Each 5 ml contains Hedera helix (Ivy) 5 mg; Pelargonium sidoides DC (African Geranium) 150 mg. Category D: Complementary Medicine Discipline Specific: D33.6 Western Herbal Medicine. (PI 02/2022).
S0 Cepacol® Effervescent. Each tablet contains Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 500 mg, Zinc citrate 3-hydrate 39,2 mg providing 12,4 mg elemental zinc, Hedera helix 35 mg, Pelargonium sidoides 12,5 mg, Vitamin A acetate (Vitamin A) 379 µg RAE, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 250 IU, Category D: Complementary Medicine. Discipline Specific: D33.7 Combination Product.
This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use. Adcock Ingram Limited. Co. Reg. No. 1949/034385/06. Private Bag X69, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa. Customer Care: 0860 ADCOCK/232625. www.adcock.com.