Why Sore Throats Can Linger After a Cold

Cepacol®, known for its sore throat lozenges¹, hot medication^2&3, and now new raspberry-flavoured effervescent⁴, delves into why sore throats can possibly linger after a cold, and how you can potentially find relief.

Postnasal drip

One potential common reason for a lingering sore throat is postnasal drip. Post-nasal drip happens when your nose produces extra mucus that trickles down the back of your throat. This can lead to a cough, sore throat, or the need to clear your throat frequently.⁵ After a cold, your body may continue to produce excess mucus to flush out remaining pathogens.⁶

Inflammation

The viral infection that could cause your cold, can lead to inflammation in your throat. Even after the virus is gone, this inflammation can take time to subside, causing ongoing discomfort.⁷

Dry Air

Dry air, especially during the chilly months when indoor heating is used can dry out your throat, exacerbating throat irritation, soreness and coughing.⁸

Secondary Infections

In some cases, a secondary bacterial infection such as streptococcus can develop after a viral cold, leading to red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus, tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth, and painful swallowing.⁹  If your sore throat persists or worsens, it's important to consult a healthcare professional.

Beat The Scratch With Cepacol® New Raspberry-Flavoured Effervescent⁴

Cepacol® understands the discomfort that sore throats can bring to your daily life and offers a wide range of formats and products tailored for targeted relief, including the newly launched Cepacol® Effervescent - a fantastically fizzyraspberry-flavoured effervescent which can provide double-duty relief for the whole family (6+). 

Cepacol® Effervescent^4a 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, theCepacol®range includes cough and cold syrup¹⁰, Plus cough and cold syrup¹¹specifically designed for nighttime relief, a throat spray¹² and throat gargle¹³, Medsip, a hot medicated drink^2&3 in either ginger or honey lemon flavours, and antibacterial throat lozenges¹ in four great tasting flavours - regular, black current, honey & lemon and menthol. 

So, when you're dealing with nasal congestion and 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 trusted brands like Cepacol®, Panado®, Compral®, ProbiFlora™, Gummy® Vites 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. CEPACOL® Throat Lozenges approved professional information, October 2014.
2. CEPACOL® Medsip Honey Lemon (Powder) approved package insert, March 1993.
3. CEPACOL® Medsip Ginger Approved Professional Information, June 2015.
4. CEPACOL® Effervescent approved professional information, August 2024. 
5. Ear & Sinus Institute. What Can I Do for Post-Nasal Drip? Available from: https://earandsinusinstitute.com/what-can-i-do-for-post-nasal-drip/. Last accessed February 2025. 
6. Robitussin. What Causes Excess Mucus? Available from: https://www.robitussin.com/cough-cold-center/what-causes-excess-mucus/
7. Medical News Today. What causes a chronic sore throat? Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325537. Last accessed February 2025. 
8. Palmetto Ent & Allergy. How Dry Air Can Impact Your Nose and Throat Health. Available from: https://palmettoentallergy.com/how-dry-air-can-impact-your-nose-and-throat-health/. Last accessed February 2025. 
9. Mayo Clinic. Strep throat. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20350338. Last accessed February 2025. 
10. CEPACOL® Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
11. CEPACOL® Plus Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
12. CEPACOL® Throat Spray approved professional information, February 2022.
13. CEPACOL® Antibacterial Throat Gargle (solution) approved professional information, August 2005

2025.1000001363. April 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).
S2 Cepacol® Sore Throat and Cough Relief Disk. Each cough disc contains Dextromethorphan hydrobromide 4,98 mg; Cetylpyridinium chloride 0,50 mg; Benzocaine 1,25 mg. Reg. No. B/10.1/163. (PI 10/1969.
S2 Cepacol® Cough Linctus. Each 10 ml contains Dextromethorphan hydrobromide 30 mg; Doxylamine succinate 6 mg; Sodium citrate 500 mg; Cetylpyridinium chloride 2,5 mg; Alcohol 10 % v/v. Ref. No. G637 (Act 101 of 1965). (PI 03/1979).
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 WesternHerbal 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 sidiodes 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.