Streptococcal pharyngitis: Difference between revisions

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===[[Steroids]]===
===[[Steroids]]===
*Consider single dose of [[dexamethasone]]<ref>[[EBQ:TOAST Trial]]</ref>
*Consider single dose of [[dexamethasone]] 0.6mg/kg PO (Max = 10mg)<ref>[[EBQ:TOAST Trial]]</ref>
**[[Dexamethasone]] 0.6mg/kg PO - maximum of 10mg


==Disposition==
==Disposition==

Revision as of 16:24, 15 October 2018

Background[1]

  • Peak in 5-15yr old
  • Rare in <2yr of age
  • Accounts for only 15-30% of pharyngitis
  • Caused by S. pyogenes (Group A strep)
  • Peak season is late winter / early spring
  • Transmission is respiratory secretions
  • Incubation period is 24-72 hours
  • Antibiotics shorten symptoms by 16 hours

Clinical Features

culture positive strep pharyngitis with typical tonsillar exudate

Should NOT have a rash; if have scarlatiniform rash consider scarlet fever

Modified Centor Criteria[2]

One point is given for each of the criteria:[2]

  1. Absence of a cough
  2. Swollen and tender cervical lymph nodes
  3. Temperature >38.0 °C (100.4 °F)
  4. Tonsillar exudate or swelling
  5. Age less than 15^
    • Subtract a point if age >44
Modified Centor score
Points Probability of Streptococcal pharyngitis
1 or fewer <10%
2 11–17%
3 28–35%
4 or 5 52%

Differential Diagnosis


Acute Sore Throat

Bacterial infections


Viral infections


Noninfectious


Other

Oral rashes and lesions

Evaluation

Rapid Antigen Detection Test Algorithm for Acute Pharyngitis[4]

Category Testing and Treatment
Clinical features strongly suggesting viral etiology (eg. cough, rhinorrhea, hoarseness, oral ulcers)
  • None
<3 years old
  • None because immature immune system not mature enough to develop anti-streptolysin O (ASO) antibodies and acute rheumatic fever[5].
    • Unless they have a special risk factor (e.g. older sibling with GAS infection)
CENTOR = 1
  • None
None of the above with CENTOR ≥2
  • Send rapid antigen detection test
    • Positive = treat
    • Negative
      • Children and adolescents
        • Send back up throat culture (treat later, if positive)
      • Adults
        • None (no need for back up throat culture)

Diagnostic testing or empiric treatment of asymptomatic household contacts of patients with acute streptococcal pharyngitis is not routinely recommended

Management

Antibiotics

Treatment can be delayed for up to 9 days and still prevent major sequelae

Penicillin Options:

Penicillin allergic (mild):

Penicillin allergic (anaphylaxis):[6]

  • Clindamycin 7 mg/kg/dose TID (maximum = 300 mg/dose) x 10 days[12]
  • Azithromycin 12 mg/kg PO once (maximum = 500 mg), then 6 mg/kg (max=250 mg) once daily for the next 4 days[13]
  • Clarithromycin 7.5 mg/kg/dose PO BID (maximum = 250 mg/dose) x 10 days[14]

Steroids

Disposition

  • Discharge

Complications

See Also

References

  1. Choby BA. Amer Fam Phys. 2009, 79(5), 383-90.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Choby BA (March 2009). "Diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis". Am Fam Physician 79 (5): 383–90. PMID 19275067.
  3. Melio, Frantz, and Laurel Berge. “Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.” In Rosen’s Emergency Medicine., 8th ed. Vol. 1, n.d.
  4. Shulman, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis: 2012 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2012;55(10):1279–82
  5. David Cisewski An Understated Myth? Strep Throat & Rheumatic Fever
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Shulman, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis: 2012 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2012;55(10):1279–82
  7. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  8. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  9. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  10. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  11. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  12. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  13. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  14. CDC Website, accessed 2026-28-01. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/strep-throat.html
  15. EBQ:TOAST Trial