Evaluation of Pharyngitis by Clinical Symptoms and in Culture in Referrals of Children Clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital

Since the rheumatic fever and glumerulonephritis is as a result of pharyngitis following streptococcal hemolytica type A and a delay in its treatment can lead to other complications, and considering this fact that rheumatic fever is the main cause of heart disease, especially in lower ages in developing countries, and its prevention can decrease mortality, in this study the microorganism responsible for pharyngitis and its clinical diagnosis was examined in 300 children referred to Imam Hossein hospital. The descriptive strategy of this study was performed on 300 patients with sore throat from 1 to 15 years old referred to children clinic of Imam Hossein hospital during 1993-1994. After taking history and performing clinical examination, one sterile swab was touched to and collected from the tonsilar region of pharynx and then was cultured. The related data was recorded in research questionnaire. After classification, the data were statistically analyzed. Out of 300 cases, 240 (80%) were boys and 60 (20%) were girls. The most common clinical symptom was sore throat (69%) and the most common streptococcal agent was hemolytica type A (23%). Most of the patients with pharyngitis (81 % ) were at an age group of 5-15 years. In addition, the existence of streptococcus in culture was verified in 45% of cases. In conclusion, positive cases of streptococcus in culture should be carefully treated to prevent the ensuing complication.