infections
Streptococcal Infections
Treatment of Strep Infections
Antibiotics (usually penicillin) For necrotizing fasciitis, surgery to remove dead tissue Strep throat usually resolves within 1 to 2 weeks, even without treatment. Antibiotics shorten the duration of symptoms in young children but have only a modest effect on symptoms in adolescents and adults. Nevertheless, antibiotics are given to help prevent the spread of the infection to the middle ear, sinuses, and mastoid bone, as well as to prevent spread to other people. Antibiotic therapy also helps prevent rheumatic fever, although it may not prevent kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis). Usually, antibiotics do not need to be started immediately. Waiting 1 to 2 days for culture results before starting antibiotics does not increase the risk of rheumatic fever. An exception is when a family member has or has had rheumatic fever. Then, every streptococcal infection in any family member should be treated as soon as possible. Usually, penicillin oramoxicillinis given by mouth for 10 days. One injection of a long-lasting penicillin (benzathine) can be given instead. People who cannot take penicillin can be givenerythromycin,clarithromycin, orclindamycinby mouth for 10 days orazithromycinfor 5 days. The bacteria that cause strep throat have never been resistant to penicillin. In the United States, about 5 to 10% of these bacteria are resistant toerythromycinand related antibiotics (azithromycinandclarithromycin), but in some countries, more than 10% are resistant. because it increases the risk of Reye Syndrome . Neither bed rest nor isolation is necessary. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent streptococcal infection from spreading rapidly and reaching the blood and internal organs. Consequently, cellulitis is often treated without doing a culture to identify the bacteria that are causing it. In such cases, doctors use antibiotics that are effective against both streptococci and staphylococci (such asdicloxacillinorcephalexin). Serious streptococcal infections (such as necrotizing fasciitis, endocarditis, and severe cellulitis) require penicillin, given intravenously, sometimes with other antibiotics. People with necrotizing fasciitis are treated in an Types of units . In necrotizing fasciitis, dead, infected tissue must be surgically removed. 