[Diagnosis and management of pharyngitis].
Although most pharyngitis are caused by viruses, up to 75% of patients visiting for a sore throat receive an antibiotic. As the performance of clinical features is poor a throat swab may help to differentiate a pharyngitis caused by a Group A beta3-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) from other causes. A recent study tested and validated a new strategy combining a rapid test detecting GABHS and a clinical score with 2 or more of the four criteria (fever more than 38 degrees, tender cervical nodes, no cough and tonsillar exsudate). This strategy is cost-effective and limits antibiotic prescription to patients with GABHS. If the score is below two, a symptomatic treatment without antibiotic is recommended.
Perone
N
N
Policlinique de médecine, Département de médecine communautaire, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. Nicolas.Perone@hcuge.ch
Humair
J P
JP
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents