In order to properly cure strep throat it is important that your diagnosis is given quickly and accurately, in order to avoid problems such as administration of the inappropriate medications and the apparition of complications that may be severe. To control strep throat, antibiotics are required most of the times, because they are efficient in the destruction of the bacteria and decrease the risk of acute rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation or coronary disease.
Strep throat and sore throat have similar symptoms, which may generate confusion and even erroneous diagnoses, improper treatments and the risk of complications. Strep throat is an acute infection of the pharynx caused by Group A hemolytic streptococcus bacteria, while sore throat represents the viral acute inflammation and infection of the pharynx.
To make a clear distinction between the viral and bacterial forms of acute pharyngitis implies more than physical examination. There are tests that help the doctors to give an accurate diagnosis of strep throat. The most efficient tests seem to be throat culture test and the antigen test.
The antigen test has the advantage of giving a quick result but it may have some inaccuracies. Even if it shows a negative result, pharyngeal exudate is also necessary for confirming. Both tests are needed in order to know exactly whether the cause of the throat infection is viral or bacterial. A new test, the optical immunoassay test (OIA) seems to be a very good alternative because it has results that are both accurate and quick. The American College of Physicians elaborated a series of guidelines that provide additional help to the doctors in the diagnosis of sore and the strep throat and also in the distinction between the two. The novelty brought by these guidelines is the connection they make between the strep throat and tonsilar exudates, tender anterior cervical adenopathy, fever and the total absence of cough. The above – mentioned guidelines are thought to be an effective replacement for antigen tests, optical immunoassay and pharyngeal exudates.
By: Rodney Kadel -