A sore throat (pharyngitis and tonsillitis) often begins as an itch, pain or irritation, but it is actually more than that. Most sore throats are caused by a viral infection, which means you’ll often get other symptoms like a runny nose or aches and pains just like you’d get with a cold.

Sometimes, a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection.

The moment you feel an itch or any of the symptoms mentioned above, consider using an antiseptic gargle such as BETADINE^® Sore Throat Gargle or BETADINE^® Sore Throat Spray.