Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0242429 (sore throat)
 2,760 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Prompt and accurate diagnosis of GABHS pharyngitis is critical to prevent ARF, tonsillar abscess, toxic-shock-like syndrome, bacteremia, and deep tissue cellulitis which can result in significant morbidity and death. Antibiotic treatment of all patients that have complaints of sore throat incurs unnecessary costs and potential drug resistance. On the other hand, culturing all patients with complaints of sore throat incurs unnecessary costs and false positive cultures in patients. Utilizing a sensitive and specific clinical guideline assists clinicians in deciding who to culture or screen, and who to reassure and educate about their underlying non-GABHS illness. Also, clinicians need to know the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tests used and each tests' limitations. While small numbers of patients fail treatment with penicillin, it remains the drug of choice for the treatment of GABHS and prevention of ARF, and its effectiveness at eradicating GABHS in the pharynx is superior.
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PMID:Managing streptococcal pharyngitis: a review of clinical decision-managing strategies, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment. 1050 21

Although most instances of sore throat are caused by relatively benign infectious or noninfectious processes, pharyngitis may herald serious or even fatal illnesses. Viral pharyngitis is the diagnosis in most cases, but because GABHS is the most common bacterial organism requiring antimicrobial treatment, an office visit is often necessary. There is no exact constellation of signs and symptoms that is pathognomonic for GABHS; nevertheless, sudden onset of sore throat with fever and cervical lymph node tenderness, in the absence of cough and nasal symptoms, is at least suggestive in adults, and possibly in children. Physical examination and prudent use of laboratory testing will assist in the diagnosis of both acute and chronic pharyngitis. The primary care provider who promptly identifies and properly treats patients infected with S. pyogenes has reduced the number of missed school or work days, the risk of developing ARF, the likelihood of transmission to others, and inappropriate use of antibiotics for those with other causes of sore throat. Further education of patient, family, and other clinicians will reduce medical expenses, avoid unnecessary antibiotic exposure, and inform the public regarding judicious management of pharyngitis.
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PMID:Acute and chronic pharyngitis across the lifespan. 1193 37