Should young adults with sore throat be treated with antibiotics?
The diagnosis of streptococcal sore throat on clinical grounds remains a problem. In this study the clinical prediction in a group of young adults corresponded with laboratory findings indicative of a streptococcal (group A or non-A) infection in 23% of cases. The culture of throat swabs was of little value, as the only group A culture-positive patient did not show an antibody response, indicating a carrier state. In 5 cases a streptococcal infection was diagnosed on rising antibody titres only, as culture remained negative. The value of rising antibody titres as a diagnostic tool is also questioned, since they occurred more frequently in the healthy controls than in the sore-throat group. Antibiotic treatment for sore throat was rarely supported by laboratory findings in the young adult population studied.
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents