Strep throat is commonly due to a bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes. This organism causes throat infections like pharyngitis or tonsillitis. This commonly affects school age children because transmission is facilitated by crowding in closed environments
Signs and symptoms includes malaise,fever, headache and sore throat. A whitish exudates or discharge is visible in the pharynx or throat, the tonsils are enlarged and erythematous or reddish and swollen cervical lymph nodes maybe present.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) suggests tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) if tonsillitis occurs more than 3 times a year despite medical treatment to prevent possible complications of rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis. The bacteria forms antigen antibody complexes that destroy the valves of the heart or the bowman`s capsule of the kidneys.
Streptococcus pyogenes is susceptible to Penicillin taken 7-10days. Erythromycin may be given to patients allergic to Penicillin
Bibliography:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/872119-overview visited November 6, 2010
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 3rd edition by Virella
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