CURRENT CONCEPTS IN THE TREATMENT OF STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS

Pharyngitis is one of the most common conditions treated by pediatrici ans and primary care physicians. It occurs most commonly in school-age children. The etiology is complex. A clinical diagnosis is difficult to establish correctly, and it should be verified by a laboratory test . The objectives of treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis are to alleviate the symptoms and signs of acute pharyngitis, to prevent spread of infection to others, to eradicate the bacteria from the thro at, and to prevent suppurative and nonsuppurative sequelae. Recent stu dies compared the clinical and bacteriologic cure rates of cefdinir, a new oral cephalosporin antibiotic, given once or twice per day for ei ther 5 or 10 days, with standard doses of oral penicillin given 4 time s daily for 10 days. Cefdinir's cure rates equaled and sometimes surpa ssed those of penicillin. Cefdinir's fewer daily doses and the possibi lity of a shorter treatment course may improve patient compliance. Cef dinir is a new, safe, and highly effective agent for the treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis.