Bad Strep Throat? It's Probably Not Strep, Most Likely Viral, Clinical Infectious Diseases Reveals

Although people often say they have "strep" throat, most sore throats actually are caused by a virus, not streptococcus bacteria, and shouldn't be treated with antibiotics, suggest guidelines published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. The IDSA's newly revised guidelines for Group A streptococcal pharyngitis -- strep throat -- also advise that when a strep infection is confirmed by testing, it should be treated with penicillin or amoxicillin -- if the patient does not have an allergy -- and not azithromycin or a cephalosporin.

Back to news