Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for acute pharyngitis in adults

Abstract

Antimicrobial treatment of GABHS pharyngitis leads to a decreased risk for already rare complications and a decrease in the duration of some patient symptoms by 1 or 2 days. Symptomatic improvement requires that treatment begin within 48 to 72 hours of symptom onset. For otherwise healthy adult patients with GABHS pharyngitis who are averse to antimicrobial agents or medication, it is reasonable to suggest a policy of no antimicrobial treatment and expect few measurable adverse consequences. An appropriate strategy in most adult patients is to limit antimicrobial therapy to the minority of adults with a high likelihood of GABHS pharyngitis, who are most likely to benefit.