title: Streptococcal pharyngitis in general practice. 1. Some unusual features of the epidemiology.
abstract: This report is based on a study of acute infections of the upper respiratory tract in 1965 and detailed records of such infections in 1963 and 1964. A change from illnesses mainly yielding viruses to illnesses mainly yielding group A streptococci was noted around the age of 5 years. A positive culture for group A streptococci in patients over 4 years of age was highly correlated with a complaint of sore throat and with serological evidence of streptococcal infection. A bimodal age distribution curve for pharyngitis associated with a positive culture for group A streptococci was consistently noted. The incidence was highest in children aged 5-9 but a second smaller peak occurred among adults in the 30-39 age group. The evidence suggests that being female increases the risk of acquiring group A streptococci and of experiencing sore throat.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Higgins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes