IDSA Updates Guideline for Managing Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis.

www.aafp.org/afp Volume 88, Number 5 ◆ September 1, 2013 The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has updated its 2002 guideline on managing group A streptococcal pharyngitis. The illness primarily occurs in children five to 15 years of age. Patients typically present with sudden onset of a sore throat, pain with swallowing, and fever. Examination shows tonsillopharyngeal erythema, often with lymphadenitis. The symptoms of streptococcal pharyngitis often overlap with those of viral pharyngitis, and the two cannot be differentiated using clinical features alone unless overt viral features are present.