(2) Strep throat. Strep throat is an infectious disease that affects the
membranes of the throat and tonsils. This disease is also called septic sore throat,
acute streptococcal pharyngitis, and acute streptococcal tonsillitis. The disease is
caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci bacteria. It spreads from person to
person through droplets of moisture sprayed from the nose and mouth. Some people
only carry the bacteria. These carriers exhibit no symptoms themselves, but spread the
disease.
b. Signs/Symptoms.
(1)
Sore throat.
(2)
Strong breath odor.
(3)
Pain on swallowing.
(4)
Fever/chills.
(5)
Posterior cervical lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes).
(6)
Headache.
(7)
Malaise.
(8) Red or swollen tonsils or pharynx (with or without fluid, cells, or cellular
debris from blood vessels [exudates]).
(9)
Increased white blood cells with bacterial pharyngitis.
(10) With bacterial pharyngitis (strep throat), the throat culture is positive.
c. Complications. Chronic tonsillitis, acute otitis media (accumulation of fluid in
the middle ear), and acute sinusitis are complications which may occur as a result of
tonsillitis or strep throat.
d. Treatment. Treatment includes rest, fluids, light diet, saline (salt water)
gargles, and analgesics for pain. If indicated, prescribe antibiotics.
(1)
Penicillin VK 250 mg, 1 tablet by mouth 6 times a day for 10 days.
(2) An alternate drug is erythromycin in the dosage of 250 mg. Take 1
tablet by mouth 6 times a day for 10 days.
(3) If the patient has difficulty swallowing, give benzathine penicillin G
(bicillin), 1.2 million units intramuscularly.
MD0568
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