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Questions and Answers
How is group A strep pharyngitis typically transmitted?
How is group A strep pharyngitis typically transmitted?
What is the incubation period of group A strep pharyngitis?
What is the incubation period of group A strep pharyngitis?
What is the gold standard diagnostic test for group A strep pharyngitis?
What is the gold standard diagnostic test for group A strep pharyngitis?
What is the primary goal of treating group A strep pharyngitis with antibiotics?
What is the primary goal of treating group A strep pharyngitis with antibiotics?
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Why is intramuscular penicillin a treatment option for group A strep pharyngitis?
Why is intramuscular penicillin a treatment option for group A strep pharyngitis?
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What is a potential complication of untreated group A strep pharyngitis?
What is a potential complication of untreated group A strep pharyngitis?
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What is the purpose of antibiotic treatment in group A strep pharyngitis?
What is the purpose of antibiotic treatment in group A strep pharyngitis?
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Why may azithromycin and clarithromycin not be the first-line antibiotics for group A strep pharyngitis?
Why may azithromycin and clarithromycin not be the first-line antibiotics for group A strep pharyngitis?
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What is the primary reason for follow-up after diagnosing and treating pharyngitis?
What is the primary reason for follow-up after diagnosing and treating pharyngitis?
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What is a potential complication of pharyngitis?
What is a potential complication of pharyngitis?
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Why is it essential to educate patients with pharyngitis about antibiotic use?
Why is it essential to educate patients with pharyngitis about antibiotic use?
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What is recommended to prevent the spread of pharyngitis to others in the home?
What is recommended to prevent the spread of pharyngitis to others in the home?
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What is a recommended symptomatic treatment for pharyngitis?
What is a recommended symptomatic treatment for pharyngitis?
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Why is it crucial to educate parents about aspirin use in young children?
Why is it crucial to educate parents about aspirin use in young children?
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What is the typical duration of recovery from pharyngitis?
What is the typical duration of recovery from pharyngitis?
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What is the primary cause of sinusitis?
What is the primary cause of sinusitis?
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What is a potential complication of bacterial pharyngitis?
What is a potential complication of bacterial pharyngitis?
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What should patients with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillin use as an alternative?
What should patients with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillin use as an alternative?
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Why should steroids be avoided in patients with pharyngitis?
Why should steroids be avoided in patients with pharyngitis?
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What is an important aspect of patient education for those diagnosed with group A streptococcus infection?
What is an important aspect of patient education for those diagnosed with group A streptococcus infection?
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What is a differential diagnosis of pharyngitis?
What is a differential diagnosis of pharyngitis?
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Why should patients with viral pharyngitis avoid using antibiotics?
Why should patients with viral pharyngitis avoid using antibiotics?
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What is a recommended symptom management approach for patients with pharyngitis?
What is a recommended symptom management approach for patients with pharyngitis?
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Why should patients with infectious mononucleosis avoid contact sports?
Why should patients with infectious mononucleosis avoid contact sports?
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Study Notes
Transmission and Incubation Period
- Group A strep pharyngitis is primarily spread through direct person-to-person transmission via respiratory droplets, contact with secretions, or saliva and nasal secretions from an infected person.
- Incubation period is approximately 2-5 days.
Diagnosis
- History and clinical examination can diagnose viral pharyngitis when clear viral symptoms are present.
- Rapid antigen detection test (RADT) or throat culture is required to confirm group A strep pharyngitis.
- RADTs have high specificity for group A strep, but varying sensitivities compared to throat culture.
- Throat culture is the gold standard diagnostic test.
Treatment
- Goals: symptom reduction, prevention of complications (suppurative and nonsuppurative), and prevention of transmission.
- Antibiotics (penicillin V or amoxicillin) shorten symptom duration by 16-24 hours and prevent rheumatic fever.
- Cephalosporins, macrolides, and clindamycin can also be used.
- Resistance may develop during treatment with azithromycin and clarithromycin.
Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
- Follow-up is required to monitor patient progress and provide education on antibiotic use, hand hygiene, and personal hygiene.
- Patients should be told not to use antibiotics empirically as the cause is often viral.
- Immunization against the flu virus and diphtheria is recommended.
Outcomes
- Most pharyngitis cases recover spontaneously within 7-10 days.
- Failures may occur due to antibiotic resistance, lack of patient compliance, or if the cause is bacterial and antibiotics were not prescribed.
- Complications occur in less than 1% of patients, including otitis media, pneumonia, nephritis, and meningitis.
Sinusitis
- Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection, and typically clears up on its own within 4 weeks.
- Medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
- Azithromycin or clindamycin can be used in patients with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillin.
Differential Diagnosis
- Airway obstruction from any cause
- Allergic rhinitis
- Cancer of the head and neck
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Peritonsillar abscess
- Diphtheria
- Epiglottitis
- Herpes simplex virus
- Mononucleosis
Complications
- Epiglottitis
- Otitis media
- Mastoiditis
- Sinusitis
- Acute rheumatic fever
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Toxic shock syndrome
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Description
Learn about the transmission and incubation period of group A strep pharyngitis, a contagious infection that can be spread through direct person-to-person contact or respiratory droplets.
