Study shows new approach to managing sore throats

By following current guidelines for the selective use of throat cultures and antibiotic treatment on the basis of positive rapid test or throat culture results only, doctors can reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics for pharyngitis, a recent study has shown.

Current guidelines for managing pharyngitis vary in their recommendations on antibiotic treatment and the need for laboratory confirmation of group A streptococcus. An estimated 6.7 million visits to a doctor are made by adults with a sore throat in the United States annually. Between 1989 and 1999, 70% of adults presenting with sore throat received an antibiotic prescription.

Dr Warren McIsaac of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, and …