Treatment and prevention of streptococcal pharyngitis in adults and children
INTRODUCTION
Group A Streptococcus (GAS), or Streptococcus pyogenes, is the leading bacterial cause of tonsillopharyngitis in adults and children worldwide. GAS is one of the few causes of tonsillopharyngitis or pharyngitis for which antibiotic treatment is recommended.The treatment and prevention of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis is reviewed here. The clinical features and diagnostic evaluation of patients with tonsillopharyngitis are discussed separately. (See "Group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children and adolescents: Clinical features and diagnosis" and "Evaluation of acute pharyngitis in adults".)
DEFINITIONS
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) can cause symptomatic infection or can colonize the oropharynx.●Active infection refers to symptomatic infection caused by GAS.
●Persistent infection refers to symptomatic infection caused by GAS that does not resolve after appropriate antibiotic treatment. This is synonymous with treatment failure.
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