A single blind, randomized, comparative prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of a Cistus Plus Infektblocker, Gum Arabic lozenges, and Cistus Echinacea Lozenges in patients with sore throat due to bacterial or viral infection.

A throat infection, sometimes called pharyngitis, can be either a bacterial or a viral infection leading to inflammation of the tissues of the throat that causes redness, pain and swelling of the walls or structures of the throat. The throat, or pharynx, is the tube-like structure that carries both food to the oesophagus and air to your windpipe (called the larynx). Infective agents of the throat most often enter through the mouth or nose. Many of these infections are viral; others can be caused by bacteria (such as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus). Symptoms of throat infection most commonly include pain and a sensation of heat in the throat or pharynx. Viral Infections account for approximately 70% of all pharyngitis. Rhinovirus is the most common cause of viral infection. The other common causes of viral infection in descending order are coronavirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and influenza virus. Viral infections are more common during the winter months with the exception of adenoviruses which occur year round. Viral pharyngitis is spread through similar mechanism as other viral infections. Hand to mouth contact, contact with oral secretions and sharing common utensils all contribute to viral spread. Prevention of the spread of disease is based on frequent hand washing and Clinical symptoms of different viruses are more prevalent during certain seasons. Coryza, conjunctivitis, malaise or fatigue, hoarseness, and low-grade fever suggest the presence of viral pharyngitis.Subjects with viral pharyngitis can also have atypical symptoms such as mouth breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

A throat lozenge (also known as a cough drop or cough sweet) is a small, typically medicated tablet intended to be dissolved slowly in the mouth to temporarily stop coughs, lubricate, and soothe irritated tissues of the throat (usually due to a sore throat).On a clinical level, Cistus is beneficial in respiratory infections mainly caused by virus and bacteria. Cistus-Infektblocker are fruity sugar-free lozenges with rock rose extract, elderberry extract and gum arabic. Like a protective shield, the polyphenols (tannins) from the plant extract (Cistus / Echinacea extract) spread over the oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes and thus help to ward off viruses and bacteria before they enter the body. Due to the physical mode of action, there is no development of resistance. These standardized special extracts enable a high effective dosage of polyphenols. Gum arabic relieves dry coughs