Azithromycin for tonsillitis

Tonsillitis, a common condition often referred to as a sore throat, is an inflammation of the tonsils caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Treatment depends on the cause and usually is delayed until lab test results are known. If viral, only symptom relief medications are given and the body will fight the infection on its own. If the tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are prescribed. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. Diagnosis A throat swab culture, also known as culture and sensitivity, is done to identify the organisms that are causing the infection and to determine which antibiotics, if any, will work best to get rid of it. According to MedlinePlus, the vast majority of sore throats are viral infections. Group A streptococcus is the most common bacterial cause of a sore throat or tonsillitis. A rapid strep test screens for the group A streptococcus organism only and will not detect other causes of a sore throat. • A throat swab culture, also known as culture and sensitivity, is done to identify the organisms that are causing the infection and to determine which antibiotics, if any, will work best to get rid of it. • A rapid strep test screens for the group A streptococcus organism only and will not detect other causes of a sore throat. Penicillin and Its Derivatives • According to the Mayo Clinic, penicillin, or one of its derivatives, taken by mouth for 10 days is the antibiotic treatment of ...

Upper respiratory tract infections account for millions of visits to family physicians each year in the United States. Although warranted in some cases, antibiotics are greatly overused. This article outlines the guidelines and indications for appropriate antibiotic use for common upper respiratory infections. Early antibiotic treatment may be indicated in patients with acute otitis media, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, epiglottitis, or bronchitis caused by pertussis. Persistent cases of rhinosinusitis may necessitate the use of antibiotics if symptoms persist beyond a period of observation. Antibiotics should not be considered in patients with the common cold or laryngitis. Judicious, evidence-based use of antibiotics will help contain costs and prevent adverse effects and drug resistance. Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are commonly treated in family physicians' practices. Uncomplicated URIs account for 25 million visits to family physicians and about 20 to 22 million days of absence from work or school each year in the United States. ( – ). A study from a large, outpatient ambulatory network of more than 52,000 cases of URI showed that antibiotics were prescribed in 65 percent of patients. Clinical recommendation Evidence rating References Amoxicillin is the preferred treatment in patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. C Short-course antibiotic therapy (median of five days' duration) is as effective as longer-course treatment (median ...