Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2001
Abstract
Upper respiratory tract infections are the commonest reason for consultation in primary care. Group A β-haemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS), the most important bacterial pathogen in this condition, can be cultured from about 300 of patients, more so in children than adults. Clinical features that are predictive of positive GABHS culture are absence of cough, fever, cervical adenopathy, tonsillar enlargement and tonsillar exudate. Use of a sore throat score can help in the detection of streptococcal throat infection. Symptomatic therapies which are useful include anticholinergic, antihistamine, decongestant, humified hot air and Vitamin C. Antibiotics are universally over-prescribed in this condition as a result of high patient expectation and faulty clinical decision making. Oral Penicillin V for 10 days is the drug of choice. Effective intervention to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescription probably require a multi-faceted approach targeted at both the patients and the prescribers.
Keywords
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Sore Throat, Streptococcal Infection, Antibiotic Prescription
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Medical Journal of Malaysia
Volume
56
Issue
2
Publisher
Malaysian Medical Association
Additional Information
Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Building, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA