Therapeutic Strategies for the Prevention of Rheumatic Fever
Authors: ALAN L. BISNO
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1977)

Editorials1 April 1977Therapeutic Strategies for the Prevention of Rheumatic FeverALAN L. BISNO, M.D., F.A.C.P.ALAN L. BISNO, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-86-4-494 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAcute pharyngitis is one of mankind's commonest maladies. Although it can have many etiologic agents (Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and others), in most cases the differential diagnosis comes down to viral or streptococcal infection. Both are likely to be benign and self-limited, although the latter can be associated with suppurative sequelae, such as acute sinusitis, otitis media, or peritonsillar abscess. The therapeutic implications are straight-forward: viral pharyngitis requires only supportive care, while patients with group A streptococcal sore throat should ordinarily receive penicillin therapy. Antibiotic therapy of "strep throat" is advocated both to prevent suppurative and, more important,...References1. WANNAMAKER L: Perplexity and precision in the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis. Am J Dis Child 124:352-358, 1972 MedlineGoogle Scholar2. KAPLANTOPDUDDING LFB: Diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis: differentiation of active infection from the carrier state in the symptomatic child. J Infect Dis 123:490-501, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. KAPLANBISNODERRICK EAW: American Heart Association Committee Report. Prevention of rheumatic fever. Circulation 55:S1-4, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. TOMPKINSBURNESCABLE RDW: An analysis of the cost-effectiveness of pharyngitis management and acute rheumatic fever. Ann Intern Med 86:481-492, 1977 LinkGoogle Scholar5. 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II. Challenge of volunteers after local immunization in the upper respiratory tract. J Infect Dis 131:217-224, 1975 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar21. BEACHEYCHIANGSEYER EEJ: Separation of the type-specific M-protein from toxic cross-reactive antigens of group A streptococci (abstract). Clin Res, in press, 1977 Google Scholar22. BEACHEYOFEK EI: Epithelial cell binding of group A streptococci by lipoteichoic acid on fimbriae denuded of M protein. J Exp Med 143:759-771, 1976 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Medicine University of Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByGROUP A, GROUP C, AND GROUP G BETA-HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONSQuantitation of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in throat cultureL'analyse de la decision en pathologie infectieuse de l'enfantMicrobiologic StudiesCost-effective control of rheumatic fever in the communityEarly treatment of streptococcal pharyngitisStreptococcal Pharyngitis in a College Health PopulationTreating Sore Throats in the Emergency RoomDecision AnalysisPharyngeal gram stains in the treatment of sore throats 1 April 1977Volume 86, Issue 4Page: 494-496KeywordsHyperthermiaMycoplasma pneumoniaeNeisseria gonorrhoeaeOtitis mediaPenicillinPeritonsillar abscessesPharyngitisPharynxRheumatic feverStreptococcal infections Issue Published: 1 April 1977 PDF DownloadLoading ...