"Call center workers are among the groups of people who are very susceptible to contract sore throat," said Dr. Natividad Almazan-Aguilar, president of the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (PSO-HNS). She explained that call center workers, together with broadcast personalities, teachers, and singers, are at higher risk in acquiring sore throat. People with low body resistance and those who work in congested offices are prone to having sore throat as well.

The processing of calls can be greatly affected by sore throat as the inflicted person will experience throat pain and difficulty in swallowing. Even sporadic cases of sore throat, when taken collectively, could signify considerable negative effect on the quality and fiscal performances of call center companies in the Philippines.

The common causes of sore throat among Filipinos are: Viral and bacterial infection, overuse of the voice, allergic rhinitis, and laryngopharyngeal reflux or reflux of acid from the stomach to the throat.

"Filipinos tend to think sore throat is a simple thing and can be taken for granted; but it can be avoided or prevented by improving body resistance through maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding smoking and drinking, and developing good sleeping habits," Dr. Almazan-Aguilar said.

She warned that the dangers of not treating sore throat include recurrent infections and, in worst cases, could lead to heart problems, kidney infections and abscess of the tonsils and sepsis.

Dr. Almazan-Aguilar said the common treatments for sore throat are increasing fluid consumption, taking oral antiseptics, antibiotics for streptococcus infections, and antipyretics for fevers.

"Clinical studies have shown that chlorhexidine (CHX) is more effective in relieving the pain of sore throat and decreasing the number of bacteria incubating in the mouth and throat area," Dr. Almazan-Aguilar said. Among the oral antiseptic products in the market, Astring-O-sol Specialist (AOS Specialist) has the CHX active ingredient, which is the most studied oral antiseptic for sore throat, bad breath and mucositis.

"AOS Specialist is effective in relieving the pain of sore throat and treating the infection caused by bacteria and fungus. It is potent and has 24 hour protection. This has been shown in 51 clinical studies reviewed in the last five years," she said.