Medication
Penicillin and amoxicillin are the antibiotics of choice for the treatment of pharyngitis. The association of amoxicillin and clavulanate is not indicated as the initial treatment of acute infection. Neither are macrolides indicated as first-line therapy; they should be reserved for patients allergic to penicillin.
Self-care
For patients with a penicillin allergy, recommended regimens include narrow-spectrum cephalosporins (cephalexin, cefadroxil), clindamycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin. See the resources section for specific treatment guidelines for adult and pediatric patients 1,2,3.
Nutrition
Cephalexin (Keflex) Bactericidal activity against rapidly growing organisms. Oral cephalosporins are highly effective for streptococcal pharyngitis, and several studies have found them to have slightly higher eradication rates than those of penicillin. Second-line agents in the treatment of patients with GABHS pharyngitis.
Which antibiotics are used in the treatment of pharyngitis?
Azithromycin (Zithromax) Can be given as a single daily dose, is better tolerated than erythromycin in patients who are allergic to penicillin, and is effective in a 5-d course. However, much more expensive and should be avoided as first-line therapy in patients with streptococcal pharyngitis. Sporadic resistance has been reported.
What are the treatment options for penicillin allergy?
How effective is cephalexin for pharyngitis?
Is azithromycin effective for pharyngitis?
What antibiotics treat tonsillitis if allergic to penicillin?
Choice of antibiotic Alternative first choices for penicillin allergy or intolerance are clarithromycin or erythromycin. Amoxicillin should be avoided if there is a possibility of glandular fever. If penicillin-allergic, a 10-day course of clarithromycin is recommended.
What antibiotic is best for pharyngitis?
Penicillin is the drug of choice to treat GABHS pharyngitis, as recommended by expert committees of the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Infectious Disease Society of America, because of proven efficacy, safety, narrow spectrum, and low cost.
How is bacterial pharyngitis treated?
Bacterial pharyngitis should be treated with appropriate antibiotics once the infection has been confirmed. The symptoms for any pharyngitis should be additionally treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen for antipyresis and analgesia.
How do you treat allergic pharyngitis?
How can I manage symptoms of chronic pharyngitis?Drink lots of water.Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, naproxen sodium or ibuprofen.Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day.Don't smoke.
Is azithromycin good for pharyngitis?
Azithromycin in a dosage of 10 or 20 mg/kg/day one daily for three days was as safe and effective as penicillin V administered four times daily in the treatment of paediatric patients with acute pharyngitis/tonsillitis.
Do I need antibiotics for pharyngitis?
Only sore throats caused by bacteria need antibiotic treatment. People with fever and sore throat are more likely to need antibiotic treatment. Some helpful remedies for sore throat include over-the-counter pain medication, cold and warm fluids, and throat sprays and lozenges.
Can bacterial pharyngitis go away on its own?
These kinds of sore throats usually go away on their own in 4 to 5 days. If you have strep throat—which is caused by bacteria—your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, such as penicillin. But strep throat goes away on its own in 3 to 7 days with or without antibiotics. Antibiotics may not make you well faster.
How do you know if pharyngitis is viral or bacterial?
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
Is bacterial pharyngitis the same as strep throat?
Strep throat is a disease that causes a sore throat (pharyngitis). It is an infection with a germ called group A streptococcus bacteria.
What is the best medicine for throat allergy?
Over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help reduce congestion and eliminate postnasal drip. Newer, nondrowsy antihistamines like loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin) can work to get rid of postnasal drip. However, these are more effective after you take them for several days.
What is the fastest way to get rid of pharyngitis?
6 home remedies to get rid of a sore throatWarm and cold fluids. Sip on warm drinks, like tea or chicken soup. ... Gargling. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt — or a similar amount of baking soda — in a glass of warm water. ... Over-the-counter antihistamines and pain relievers. ... Steam and humidity. ... Hot toddy. ... Rest.
What is the most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis?
Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis in all age groups. Experts estimate that group A strep, the most common bacterial cause, causes 20% to 30% of pharyngitis episodes in children. In comparison, experts estimate it causes approximately 5% to 15% of pharyngitis infections in adults.
What are the symptoms of penicillin allergy?
There are very few cases in which allergy testing or desensitization for penicillin is dangerous. These cases are called severe hypersensitivity syndromes. They are rare, but they include these syndromes: 1 Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic syndrome (DRESS) 2 Stevens-Johnson syndrome 3 Serum sickness 4 Toxic epidermal necrolysis 5 Hemolytic anemia 6 Acute interstitial nephritis
How many people are allergic to penicillin?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 1 percent of people have a true penicillin allergy, even though about 10 percent of people tell their doctors they are allergic to penicillin. Sometimes, a common reaction to penicillin (such as an upset stomach or diarrhea) is mistaken for an allergy.
What antibiotics can be given by mouth?
Penicillin. Ampicillin. Amoxicillin. Met hicillin. These antibiotics can be given by mouth or injection to treat many types of bacterial infections. Amoxicillin, for example, is one of the most common oral penicillins. It is often the first choice to treat infections of the ear, nose, throat, lungs, sinuses and urinary tract.
How long does it take for penicillin to go away?
If the test is positive, you may have some local swelling and itching, but this reaction will go away within an hour or so. If you don't have a skin reaction to penicillin, there is a 95 percent chance you are not allergic.
What is the risk of developing a methicillin resistant infection?
For example, the risk of a condition called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is more than 50 percent higher. There is also a much higher (35 percent) risk of developing an intestinal infection called Clostridium difficile (C. diff). These infections are both serious and hard to treat.
Can penicillin cause diarrhea?
Sometimes, a common reaction to penicillin (such as an upset stomach or diarrhea) is mistaken for an allergy. In other cases, a person may report a family history of penicillin allergy, but penicillin allergy is not passed down through families.
Is penicillin the best antibiotic?
Sometimes penicillin is the best drug to treat a certain infection. Using other drugs—called broad-spectrum antibiotics—instead of penicillin can be more expensive and less effective. These drugs are also more likely to cause antibiotic resistance and result in an infection that is very hard to treat. Using a broad-spectrum antibiotic ...
How to treat pharyngitis?
Viral pharyngitis goes away on its own with salt water gargles, pain relievers and extra fluids to help alleviate the symptoms. Bacterial pharyngitis is treated with antibiotics; and fungal pharyngitis, with antifungal medications.
Why is antibiotic therapy needed for strep throat?
Prompt antibiotic therapy is needed for strep throat because untreated, it can sometimes cause kidney problems and rheumatic fever, which can damage the heart valves. A full assessment in the clinic will guide treatment for other causes.
What is a sore throat?
What is pharyngitis? Pharyngitis — commonly known as sore throat — is an inflammation of the pharynx, resulting in a sore throat. Thus, pharyngitis is a symptom, rather than a condition. It is usually caused by viral and/or bacterial infections, such as the common cold and flu (both viral infections) or by infection with ...
Can a pharyngitis infection be a viral infection?
Pharyngitis can also occur with mononucleosis (aka “mono”), a viral infection. Fungal pharyngitis occurs in the setting of immunosuppression or chronic steroid and antibiotic use. Sometimes, allergies, such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, can cause sore throat.
Which antibiotic binds to the P site of the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible organisms
Semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic that reversibly binds to P site of 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible organisms and may inhibit RNA-dependent protein synthesis by stimulating dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, causing bacterial growth inhibition.
What class of antibiotics is cleocin?
Sporadic resistance has been reported. Clindamycin (Cleocin) Belongs to the lincosamide class of antibiotics. Binds to the 50s ribosome and prevents bacterial protein synthesis. Is an option for symptomatic patients with multiple, recurrent episodes of pharyngitis proven by culture or rapid antigen testing.
Is cephalosporin a bactericidal agent?
Bactericidal activity against rapidly growing organisms. Oral cephalosporins are highly effective for streptococcal pharyngitis, and several studies have found them to have slightly higher eradication rates than those of penicillin. Second-line agents in the treatment of patients with GABHS pharyngitis.
Is penicillin better than erythromycin?
Inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis at the 50s ribosome. Can be given as a single daily dose, is better tolerated than erythromycin in patients who are allergic to penicillin, and is effective in a 5-d course.
Is S pyogenes sensitive to penicillin?
S pyogenes remains universally sensitive to penicillin. Treatment of choice for GAS pharyngitis, as recommended by expert committees of the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Infectious Disease Society of America, because of its proven efficacy, safety, narrow spectrum, and low cost.
Is amoxicillin safe for pharyngitis?
Tetracyclines and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole should not be used to treat GABHS pharyngitis owing to higher rates of resistance.
Etiology
Clinical Features
Transmission
Risk Factors
Specialist to consult
Diagnosis and Testing
- Group A strep pharyngitis is an infection of the oropharynx caused by S. pyogenes. S. pyogenes are gram-positive cocci that grow in chains (see figure 1). They exhibit β-hemolysis (complete hemolysis) when grown on blood agar plates. They belong to group A in the Lancefield classific…
Special Considerations
- Group A strep pharyngitis is an acute pharyngitis that commonly presents with 1. Sudden-onset of sore throat 2. Odynophagia 3. Fever Other symptoms may include headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting — especially among children. Patients with group A strep pharyngitis typically do not typically have cough, rhinorrhea, hoarseness, oral ulcers, or conjunctivitis. These …
Carriage
- Group A strep pharyngitis is most commonly spread through direct person-to-person transmission. Typically transmission occurs through saliva or nasal secretions from an infected person. People with group A strep pharyngitis are much more likely to transmit the bacteria to others than asymptomatic pharyngeal carriers. Crowded conditions — such as those in schools, …
Prognosis and Complications
- Group A strep pharyngitis can occur in people of all ages. It is most common among children 5 through 15 years of age. It is rare in children younger than 3 years of age. The most common risk factor is close contact with another person with group A strep pharyngitis. Adults at increased risk for group A strep pharyngitis include: 1. Parents of school-aged children 2. Adults who are often …
Prevention
- The differential diagnosis of acute pharyngitis includes multiple viral and bacterial pathogens. Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis in all age groups. Experts estimate that group A strep, the most common bacterial cause, causes 20% to 30% of pharyngitis episodes in children. In comparison, experts estimate it causes approximately 5% to 15% of pharyngitis infe…