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Fifteen-minute consultation: Group A streptococcal pharyngitis, diagnosis and treatment in children
  1. Amanda Taylor1,
  2. Rachel Webb1,2,3
  1. 1 Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
  2. 2 Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Starship Children's Health, Auckland, New Zealand
  3. 3 Paediatrics, Kidz First Hospital, Counties Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand
  1. Correspondence to Dr Amanda Taylor; ATaylor{at}adhb.govt.nz

Abstract

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the most common bacterial cause of pharyngitis in children. GAS causes significant suppurative and non-suppurative complications including invasive GAS disease and acute rheumatic fever. This article describes the current epidemiology and clinical presentation of GAS pharyngitis and explores how diagnostic and treatment decisions differ globally. Several key decision support tools are discussed including international guidelines, clinical decision scores and laboratory tests along with the evidence for treatment choice and duration. With recent international reports describing an increase in GAS infections, clinicians should be familiar with their local GAS pharyngitis guidelines and the rationale for diagnosis and treatment of this common childhood illness.

  • Infectious Disease Medicine
  • Paediatrics
  • Primary Health Care
  • Communicable Diseases

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Footnotes

  • X @amandatcutfield, @rachelwebbNZ

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.