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“1 Introduction Acute sore throat (pharyngitis) is one of the most common illnesses for which children and

their parents visit primary care physicians [1]. For example, in the ambulatory setting, acute pharyngitis accounts for around 1 % of primary care visits [2]. Most cases (up to 80 %) are caused by viruses and are benign and self-limiting [3]. However, bacteria (e.g. group A beta-hemolytic selleck screening library streptococci) are another common cause, particularly among children [4]. The diagnosis of pharyngitis must distinguish children

with viral selleck products pharyngitis, who would not benefit from antibiotic therapy, from those children with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, for whom antibiotics are appropriate [1]. Making this distinction is crucial in attempting to minimize the unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents in children and providing suitable symptomatic relief. The absence of fever or the presence of clinical features such as conjunctivitis, cough, or hoarseness, suggest a viral etiology [1]. The clinical manifestations of acute sore throat are related to inflammation of the pharynx and/or tonsils, and include pain, redness, heat, and swelling [5, 6]. Despite the fact that antibiotics are still often requested and prescribed for acute sore throat, many patients (adults and children) consult their primary care physician to establish the cause of the symptoms, to obtain pain relief, and for information on the course of the disease [7, 8]. Furthermore, because the majority of sore throats are caused by viruses and Rucaparib not bacteria, antibiotics are generally ineffective and not recommended by clinical bodies for primary treatment of sore throat [9]. Instead, clinically proven over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which provide

rapid and effective relief of symptoms of acute sore throat, regardless of cause, are increasingly important in the self-management of this condition. Throat lozenges containing amylmetacresol (AMC) and 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol (DCBA), which possess antibacterial, antiviral, and local anesthetic properties, provide symptomatic relief of sore throat [6, 10]. They are licensed for OTC use in the UK and around the world for adults and children for the symptomatic relief of mouth and throat infections [11]. Safety profiles are well established, and in some countries the lozenges have been used for over 50 years. Lozenges containing AMC/DCBA have been studied in several clinical trials conducted in adults and have demonstrated significant analgesic, functional, sensorial, and psychological effects from as early as 1–5 minutes and lasting up to 2 h post-dose [5, 12, 13].