Some Pearls concerning Strep Throat in Kids:
- Only treat strep pharyngitis after confirmed via rapid antigen test or culture
- Remember the rapid antigen test has high specificity, but low sensitivity. All negative rapid antigen tests should be followed up with a confirmatory culture
- Traditionally, strep pharyngitis was treated with penicillin V, 250mg PO tid for children and 500 mg tid for adolescents. This was then changed to bid dosing.
- Now, consider treating with amoxicillin, 50mg/kg once daily (max 1000mg). Once daily dosing and better taste improve compliance
References
Committee on infectious diseases. Red book 2012.