Three Reasons You Have a Sore Throat but No Fever

Cepacol®, known for its sore throat lozenges¹, hot medication^2&3, and now new raspberry-flavoured effervescent⁴, explores three reasons you have a sore throat but no fever.

1. Tonsillitis 

Your tonsils - those two small lumps of soft tissue at the back of your throat^5a - are like your body’s built-in defence team, helping to trap germs and keep infections at bay.^5b Most of the time, your tonsils do a good job at keeping you healthy, but sometimes, they get overwhelmed and become infected themselves. That’s when tonsillitis takes over, leaving your throat sore and swollen.^5c While tonsillitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection^6a, contrary to popular belief, it rarely results in fever.^6b

2. Strep Throat

Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection that causes throat pain,^7a often developing suddenly within two to five days of exposure.^7b While fever is often a symptom of strep, it is possible to have strep without a spiking temperature.^7c 

3. Allergies

Allergies can bring on a whole host of uncomfortable symptoms - from post-nasal drip^8a and congestion^8b to a scratchy sore throat^8c - but they don’t cause a fever.^8d However, allergy symptoms can weaken your body’s defences, making you more susceptible to viral or bacterial infections, which can lead to a fever. That’s why it’s easy to mistake a fever for an allergy symptom, when in reality, it’s usually a sign of an underlying infection.^8d

Beat The Scratch With Cepacol® New Raspberry-Flavoured Effervescent⁴

Cepacol® knows how frustrating a sore throat can be. That’s why Cepacol® offers a wide range of targeted relief options, including the newly launched Cepacol® Effervescent - a refreshingly fizzy, raspberry-flavoured formula designed to provide soothing, relief for the whole family (ages 6 and up).

Cepacol® Effervescent helps to relieve symptoms of cold and flu such as sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing and cough, 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 thecough and cold syrup⁹, Plus cough and cold syrup¹⁰specifically designed for nighttime relief, a throat spray¹¹and throat gargle¹², Medsip, a hot medicated drink^2&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.

Cepacol®’s new 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. CEPACOL® Throat Lozenges approved professional information, October 2014.
2. CEPACOL® Medsip Ginger Approved Professional Information, August 2009.
3. CEPACOL® Medsip Honey Lemon (Powder) approved package insert, March 1993.
4. CEPACOL® Effervescent approved professional information, August 2024. 
5. Cleveland Clinic. Tonsillitis. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21146-tonsillitis. Last accessed May 2025.
6. HealthMatch. Is Strep Throat Always Associated With A Fever? Available from: https://healthmatch.io/strep-throat/can-you-have-strep-throat-without-a-fever. 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. Adult & children allergy asthma center. Can Allergies Cause Fever, Sore Throat or Coughing? Available from: https://drkevinfarnam.com/can-allergies-cause-fever-sore-throat-or-coughing/.  Last accessed May 2025.
9. CEPACOL® Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
10. CEPACOL® Plus Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
11. CEPACOL® Throat Spray approved professional information, February 2022. 
12. CEPACOL® Antibacterial Throat Gargle (solution) approved professional information, August 2005.

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.

21.05.20251000002151. May 2025.