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BETADINE® Health Answers

Expert answers to your most common health and hygiene questions — all in one place. Find trusted information on wound care, sore throat treatment, and feminine hygiene.

COLD & FLU

14 Q&As
More than 85% of sore throats are caused by viruses5. Bacteria are the next most common type of germs that cause sore throats5.

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 or sneezes) and close personal contact (e.g. kissing).

A sore throat can be caused by different types of germs. Therefore, it is good to use a preparation that target different types and classes of germs.
The moment you feel an itch in your throat, it is always good to use an antiseptic gargle before the situation becomes more serious. You do not want germs to spread to your loved ones. This reduces the chances of them getting the germs before they have chance to act.

Viruses are tiny particles that rely on human or animal cells for their survival, so they cannot last very long outside the body. They cause illnesses by invading healthy cells and multiplying.

Bacteria are single cell organisms usually found in and on our bodies. Some bacteria are harmless – and can even be good for us – and some cause infections.

Salt-water gargle is considered a home remedy which contains salt only. But, salt water has no effect on viruses the main cause of sore throats.

POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Gargle has scientific research on its germ killing activity against germs that can cause sore throats1-3. With a 30-second gargle, POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Gargle kill germs2. Individual response varies*.
Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Because majority of sore throats are caused by a virus, antibiotics would not work for such cases. Most health authorities advise against the over-use of antibiotics so that resistance doesn’t become a big problem.6


For the same reasons, other viral infections like flu should not be treated with antibiotics either6.

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*.

* For further information, please check with your doctor or pharmacist.

POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®Gargle kills germs that cause sore throats1,2.Research has also shown that the povidone-iodine (PVPI) in POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Gargle has a 30 seconds killing effect against germs through 30 sec gargling. Individual response varies.

Since most sore throats are caused by germs5, there are steps that you can take to prevent getting an infection:

  • Avoid sharing utensils with people who are sick.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap.
  • Practice proper hand and throat hygiene by using an antiseptic hand wash and gargle, such as POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Gargle to kill germs and prevent passing on germs within the family or community2.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands as germs can enter your body this way and make you sick.
  • Stay away from people who are ill, as germs can spread.

No, POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®Gargle does not stain the teeth. The natural brown colour is due to Povidone-Iodine, the active ingredient of POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE® Gargle. The product retains the germ killing effect of iodine but unlike iodine, it is generally non-staining.3


POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE® preparations do not stain the skin, fingernails, hair, or natural fibre either.3 If you accidentally get POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE® on natural fibres it can usually be easily washed off with water and soap. For man-made fibres, POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE® can usually be washed off with the help of a stain remover.

CAUTION: Immediately remove spills from plastic floors.

Small amount may be swallowed during gargling. If accidentally swallowed in large amounts, consult your local doctor or pharmacist immediately.
POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®Gargle contains povidone-iodine that kills the germs that cause sore throats1-3, in a 30-second gargle. However, it is impossible to say how quickly you will feel better. Individual response condition varies*.
Some cosmetic mouthwashes are meant for fresh breath while POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Gargle is a medicated formulation for treatment against throat and oral infection10.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use unless advised by healthcare professional.

Germs that cause sore throats can be passed on via direct contact (e.g. touching something that has the germs on it), airborne transmission (e.g. when someone coughs) and close personal contact (e.g. kissing).

When a loved one suffers from sore throat, flu or a cold, practicing proper throat and oral hygiene like gargling with POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) helps. This lessens the chances of other family members getting it too by killing the germs before they have a chance to act.

The active ingredient in BETADINE®, povidone-iodine, is naturally a golden brown colour. It will not stain your skin, fingernails or hair, although you can see where it’s been applied on the skin3.

If you accidentally get POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) on natural fibres it can usually be easily washed off with water and soap. For man-made fibres, POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) can usually be washed off with the help of a stain remover.
 
CAUTION: Immediately remove spills from plastic floors.

FEMININE CARE

9 Q&As
Regular soap, especially the scented soap and gels, can affect the healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels in your intimate area. 
"Flora” is the term used to describe the microorganisms that live on or in our bodies.  Some flora actually has a positive effect on our health, while others can multiply to become harmful. In the vagina, the normal flora actually helps prevent infections. The normal flora that live in our vaginal area is called lactobacilli. It protects women against infections in the feminine intimate area and keeps the normal vaginal flora intact. Sometimes, the vaginal flora becomes unbalanced, making it more likely for you to feel discomfort in your intimate area.
BETADINE® Daily Feminine Wash products are specially formulated to maintain vaginal hygiene and help keep the normal vaginal flora intact. To manage vaginal cleanliness and prevent issues, it’s important to maintain the normal vaginal flora.  BETADINE® Daily Feminine Wash products help soothe, care and protect your intimate area, and keep the natural balance. The Tri-Care+TM formula and prebiotics in the BETADINE® Daily Feminine Wash products provide daily protection from unwanted symptoms associated with pH imbalance in the vagina — an imbalance pH that could lead to discomfort.
Povidone-Iodine as the active ingredient is used against a wide spectrum of microorganisms.2 The POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Feminine Wash and Vaginal Douche do not target just one type of microorganism but also cleanse the bad germs, allowing the normal vaginal flora (good bacteria) to return.
Do:
Identify the cause – suspect infection by looking out for vaginal symptoms such as discharge with abnormal colour or amount.
Check for foreign objects like tampons or condoms after intimate sessions.
Wear cotton undergarments to encourage airflow and allow your vaginal area to breathe.
 
Don’t:
Use fragrant body washes and soaps as it can disrupt the pH balance of your vagina.
A vaginal infection (your doctor may call it bacteria vaginitis, yeast vaginitis, trichomoniasis vaginitis) is an infection that results in minor inflammation and other symptoms in and around your vagina. It may cause redness, swelling, irritation or even pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and odour. In some cases, when left untreated, this can result in serious complications.
Vaginal infections are very common – it’s estimated that 75% of women have had at least one at some point in their lives. They occur when infectious bacteria, viruses or fungi grow in or around the vagina.

Bacterial infections are the most common cause, accounting for up to 50% of the cases. They happen when there are changes in the types and amounts of bacteria normally found in the vagina.

Fungal infections like candida albicans are probably the next most common cause. Fungal infections are often called vaginal yeast infections.

Other possible causes of vaginal irritation include:

Tight nylon underwear that doesn’t provide good ventilation, resulting in perspiration and lack of air circulation
The use of contraceptives
The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of other infections
The use of vaginal deodorants
The lack of personal hygiene

Pregnant and lactating mothers are encouraged to avoid using the POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Feminine Wash and Vaginal Douche due to the potential risks to the fetus/baby. There is a possible chance that the fetus/baby may be at risk of reversible hypothyroidism. Even though hypothyroidism is reversible, it might still lead to future metabolism conditions.

Women who suffer from hypothyroidism should also avoid using the
POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®)  Feminine Wash and Vaginal Douche.

Povidone-iodine, which is the active ingredient in POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Feminine Wash and Vaginal Douche, is naturally golden brown in colour. It will not stain your skin, fingernails or hair.

POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Feminine Wash and Vaginal Douche products can also be washed off even if they get into contact with your clothes. If you accidentally get some on natural fibers, it can usually be easily washed off with water and soap. For man-made fibers, it can usually be washed off with the help of a stain remover.

CAUTION: Immediately wipe up spills on plastic floors.

WOUND CARE

8 Q&As
Both antiseptic and disinfectant prevent the growth of disease-causing micro-organisms .1 The main difference between the two is that disinfectants are usually used on inanimate object (e.g. tables, floors, chairs) and antiseptics are more suitable for human skin.

Antiseptics are used as a treatment to cleanse cuts, scratches, burns, grazes or other minor injuries where the skin is broken, or as a preventive measure before piercing the skin (e.g. an injection). For this very reason, Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®has a wide range of antiseptic formats for your different needs.
You should not use an antiseptic that kills all germs but causes a skin reaction or affect would healing. On the other hand, an antiseptic that is gentle on the skin on wounds but does not kill germs will not prevent infection and may even prolong the wound healing process.
Unlike most antiseptics, Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®uses a povidone-iodine solution to quickly kill the germs that cause wound infections.3  Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) antiseptic is relatively free of irritation or stinging, making it easier to use on your kids, in comparison with other alcohol antiseptics for wounds.11 Individual response varies.
The main reason for using antiseptics on wounds is to prevent and treat infections, making the healing process faster. Infections can cause delays and prevent healing, or even worsen the wound condition.
The active ingredient in BETADINE® , Povidone-Iodine, is naturally a golden brown color. It will not stain your skin, fingernails or hair, although you can see where it’s been applied on the skin.3

If you accidentally get Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) on natural fibers it can usually be easily washed off with water and soap. For man-made fibers, Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) can usually be washed off with the help of a stain remover.

CAUTION: Immediately remove spills from plastic floors.
Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) antiseptics provide germ-killing action.
Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®Wound Care is an antiseptic, not an antibiotic. Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®Wound Care range contains povidone-iodine that acts on germs that may cause wound infection14. These germs get killed before it has an opportunity to infect the wound. When you use it, you will know it always helps.
Water only removes physical debris lodged in flesh, unlike an antiseptic like Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) that is used to kill surface germs and prevent infection.

Additionally, the use of tap water to cleanse the wound would not be recommended in a country where a constant supply of potable drinking water is not available.

Common Cold Symptoms In Toddlers And What You Can Do About It

Apr 17, 2025, 13:30 PM
Title : Common Cold Symptoms In Toddlers And What You Can Do About It
Published by :
Published date : Jan 14, 2018, 16:00 PM
According to healthcare media MedicineNet, preschool to grade school children tend to suffer from about 6-12 colds yearly.
As a mother, I dreaded the days when my one-year-old suffered from common cold. Her little body struggled with every sneeze. 

As a mother, I dreaded the days when my one-year-old suffered from common cold. Her little body struggled with every sneeze. Her eyes looked so weak and her appetite dwindled. Like any parent, it broke my heart to see that I couldn't instantly take away my toddler's pain. I couldn't stand not doing anything about it, so I did my part by learning more about this infection and the ways I can correctly handle my child's symptoms.

The virus that spreads like fire

According to US-based health care system John Hopkins Medicine, the common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract that can be caused by over 200 types of viruses. With new types of viruses developing over time, the human body is not capable of resisting each virus that it gets exposed to. Hence, the cold is a common and recurring health problem.

The cold virus can easily spread without us knowing it. For instance, whenever my child touches her eyes or nose after touching contaminated toys or surfaces, there is a huge possibility that she will catch the cold virus. UK-based publicly funded healthcare organization National Health Service confirms that transmission can also happen when somebody infected with the cold virus sneezes or coughs and the child inhales the drops of fluid carrying the virus. With poor immune system and the lack of proper hand washing, children are truly at risk of acquiring the common cold when exposed to infected people or contaminated things.

The inevitable symptoms

As soon as a child catches the dreaded cold virus, he or she will manifest early indicators of the infection. For my daughter, it all started with a runny nose. After a day or two, she started sneezing and eventually developed fever. Along with this, my toddler could not sleep well and was often uneasy. Though she still couldn't tell me what exactly was wrong, I could tell that she was suffering from body aches as well. Other toddlers with the common cold virus would also complain of clogged nose, sore throat, headache, body aches, and fatigue.


 

Things to do to manage common cold symptoms

While prevention is certainly better than cure, there are instances when catching the cold virus is just unavoidable. Here are the things I did to help ease my little girl's pain and discomfort and speed up her recovery. These home remedies for the common cold will also be helpful to other moms whenever their kids catch the cold virus:

  • Always Sanitize

When sickness strikes, the goal is to stop the cold virus from spreading. To do that, I had to make sure my child's hands as well as my hands were always sanitized by properly washing our hands. When my toddler caught the cold virus, I required everyone in our home to strictly practice effective hand washing before and after eating, after every bathroom use, after coughing or sneezing, and whenever necessary. I also bought a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer for every family member to use when soap and clean water are not available. According to the American Public Health Association, "the best hand sanitizer is one that contains a minimum of 60 percent alcohol."

  • Regularly monitor temperature

I did not expect that my daughter's respiratory infection would lead to fever. When I felt my child's skin was warmer than usual, I asked my husband to buy a digital thermometer from the drugstore so we can check our child's temperature. When a child has common cold, it is important to monitor his or her temperature regularly. National Health Service states that, as a general rule, a temperature of 38°C or above is a fever. When I found out that my daughter had fever, I had to give her over-the-counter pain relief and fever-reducing medicine.

  • Stop the cold in its tracks

I was not satisfied with just relieving the cold symptoms my child was experiencing. I wanted to get rid of the virus as soon as possible. My search on how to stop cold in toddlers fast led me to discover BETADINE™ Cold Defense Nasal Spray.  BETADINE™ nasal spray eliminates 99% of common cold and flu viruses and is clinically proven to shorten the duration of colds up to two days. It is a non-drug, non-steroid, preservative-free nasal spray, which means it is natural and safe for children 1 year old and above. My daughter used it and was spared from having to endure too long of the cold symptoms.

  • Manage humidity level of your home

According to Sinus Surgeon Dr. Garrett H. Bennett, MD, inhaling moist air can help loosen mucus in the nasal passage. Aside from giving my child a warm bath, I tried to use a humidifier in her bedroom. By diffusing moisture into the air and managing the humidity level of the environment, the humidifier helped ease my child's common cold symptoms.  

I may not be able to protect my toddler from every single strain of virus existing, but I definitely can do something to minimize the discomfort of my child's common cold symptoms and remedy the viral infection. Along with rest and proper nutrition, these home practices will help restore my little one's health.
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