Throat and Oral Care | BETADINE South Africa

Don’t wait for an itchy throat to grow into a major irritation.

When your loved one tells you about a little itch in their throat, you know what to do. With BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle at hand, you can defeat the viruses and bacteria before they get a chance to make their homes in someone’s throat. Stop a small irritation from becoming a big one-with BETADINE^®’s germ-killing action. Gargle for 30 seconds, 4 times a day.¹

Help stop that itch early

Learn more about sore throats

The right way to gargle

Put BETADINE^® to work and get your family back at play.

BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle is a povidone-iodine medicated gargle that kills many bacteria and viruses in your throat and oral cavity.²

At the first sign of a sore throat, gargle with BETADINE^® for 30 seconds, 4 times a day to help stop an infection from spreading.¹

Used worldwide in healthcare institutions and homes for over 55 years.

Germ-killing action in 30 seconds

a short gargle can kill the bacteria and viruses in your mouth and throat¹

Helps stop sore throats early

kills the germs that can cause sore throats and stops a small irritation from becoming a big one.^1,10,14

Protect those around you

BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle not only protects your throat but also stops the spreading of germs to your friends and family around you.¹

Dealing with a sore throat? Here’s what you need to know

What is a sore throat?

What are bacteria and viruses?

The use of antibiotics for a sore throat?

Why should we gargle with BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle instead of salt water?⁸

What are the causes of a sore throat?

How is BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle different from most cosmetic mouthwash brands on the market?

Who should not use BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle?

As BETADINE^® has a dark/reddish brown colour, does it stain?

Simple steps to bringing smiles back.

Pour one full green cap of BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle solution, undiluted.

Swish the solution briefly in the mouth.

Tilt your head backwards and gargle for 30 seconds by swirling the liquid at the throat.

Spit out the solution. Repeat every 2-4 hours for up to 4 times a day or as directed by a healthcare provider.

Adults and children over the age of 3³

As a gargle

At the first sign of a throat irritation, use 1 full green cap of BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle and gargle for 30 seconds¹, 4 times a day.¹

Do not dilute. Do not swallow.

As a mouthwash

For inflammation/infection: Use 1 full green cap of BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle. Rinse mouth for 30 seconds and repeat for up to 4 times a day.

Do not dilute. Do not swallow.

For daily routine mouthwash: Mix 1 full green cap of BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle with 2 full green caps of water. Rinse mouth for 30 seconds.

Do not swallow.

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What is a sore throat?

Oral or throat infection is a common term used to define many different infections of the mouth and throat. Sore throats often begin as an itch, pain or irritation, but are actually more than that. Commonly called colds and flu,⁵ a sore throat is a symptom of inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngitis) or tonsils (tonsillitis) , or both (pharyngotonsillitis), and in most cases caused by viruses (70% of cases), so symptoms such as a fever (either low-or-high grade), nausea, aches and pains might be present.⁴ Only 10% of sore throats in adults are caused by bacteria (called strep throat).⁹ Only bacterial infections are treated by antibiotics or, in other terms, antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and many leading organisations now recommend against using antibiotics unless there is clear evidence of a bacterial infection.¹⁹

The moment your throat has an itch or any of the throat symptoms mentioned above, remember to gargle with BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle for 30 seconds, 4 times a day.¹

What are bacteria and viruses?

While bacteria and viruses can both cause mild to serious infections, they are different from each other. This is important to understand, because bacterial and viral infections must be treated differently. Misusing antibiotics to treat viral infections contributes to the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Bacteria and viruses, too tiny to be seen by the naked eye, can cause similar symptoms and are often spread in the same way, but that’s where the similarities end.^7,19

A bacterium is a single, but complex, cell. It can survive on its own, inside or outside the body. Most bacteria aren’t harmful. In fact, we have many bacteria on and inside our body, especially in the gut to help digest food.^7,19

Viruses are smaller and are not cells. Unlike bacteria, they need a host such as a human or animal to multiply. Viruses cause infections by entering and multiplying inside the host’s healthy cells.¹⁹

Bacteria cause bacterial infections, and viruses cause viral infections. It is important to know whether a bacterium or virus is the cause of an infection, because the treatments differ. Examples of bacterial infections include whooping cough, strep throat, ear infection and urinary tract infection (UTI). Viral infections include the common cold, flu, most coughs and bronchitis.⁷

It can be difficult to know what causes an infection, because viral and bacterial infections can cause similar symptoms. Your doctor may need a sample of your urine, stool or blood for a ‘culture’ test to have the bugs identified under a microscope.¹⁹

Doctors usually treat bacterial infections with antibiotics. They either kill bacteria or stop them multiplying. But since antibiotic resistance is a growing problem, antibiotics may be prescribed only for serious bacterial infections.⁷

The treatment of viral infections can include:⁷

managing symptoms, such as honey for coughs and warm fluids like chicken soup for oral hydration
paracetamol to relieve fever
stopping viral reproduction using local antiseptics, antiviral medicines, such as medicines for HIV/AIDS and cold sores
preventing infection in the first place, such as vaccines for flu and hepatitis

The use of antibiotics for a sore throat?

Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Because most sore throats are caused by a virus, antibiotics usually would not work. Most health authorities advise against the over-use of antibiotics so that resistance doesn’t become a big problem.

If a sore throat persists or is particularly severe, you should see your doctor. Antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor in situations of bacteria related infections.⁸

For the same reasons, other viral infections like colds, flu and most coughs and bronchitis should not be treated with antibiotics either.

Why should we gargle with BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle instead of salt water?⁸

Salt water has no clear scientific evidence on its mode of germ killing action.

BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle has shown its germ killing activity against the viruses and bacteria that can cause sore throat. With a 30 seconds gargle, 4 times a day, BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle has been shown to kill germs and reduce the chances of contracting flu.¹

What are the causes of a sore throat?

Approximately 70% of sore throats are caused by viruses⁹ such as Adenovirus, Rhinovirus, Influenza virus A or Coronavirus^5,10. These viruses are commonly what would be referred to as colds and flu. Only 10% of sore throats are caused by bacteria, mostly Group A-haemolytic streptococcus¹¹. This type of infection is what is normally referred to as a strep throat.

These viruses and bacteria can be passed on via direct contact (e.g. touch an object that has the virus on it), airborne transmission (e.g. when someone coughs) and close personal contact (e.g. kissing).⁸

A sore throat can be caused by different types of germs. Therefore, it is important to use a medication that is effective across the different types and classes of germs.⁸

How is BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle different from most cosmetic mouthwash brands on the market?

Cosmetic mouthwashes are meant to freshen breath while BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle is a medicated formulation for treatment and protection against throat and oral infection.⁸

Who should not use BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle?

Sensitive to iodine
Pregnant and lactating mothers are encouraged to avoid using BETADINE^® Mouthwash & Gargle.³

As BETADINE^® has a dark/reddish brown colour, does it stain?

The active ingredient in BETADINE^®, povidone-iodine, is naturally a reddish/brown colour.³

If you accidentally get BETADINE^® on natural fibres it can usually be easily washed off with water and soap. For synthetic fibres, BETADINE^® can usually be washed off with the help of a stain remover.^12,33,34

CAUTION: Immediately remove spills from plastic floors.²⁰