Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Excerpt

Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis, or colloquially as "strep throat," is a common condition caused by pharyngeal infection by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal pharyngitis frequently presents with a painful sore throat, an abrupt onset fever, and recent sick contacts. The highest incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis occurs among children 3 to 9 years of age, followed by adolescents 10 to 19. Incidence in adults is far lower, and of adult patients seeking care for sore throat, only 10% to 15% will have streptococcal pharyngitis, yet 60% or more of those adult patients will receive prescriptions for antibiotics.