Sore throats
Article Abstract:
In the past, a sore throat was treated empirically with antibiotics, and the patient usually recovered. Pediatricians would more frequently take a throat culture, and then prescribe an antibiotic. A 1985 Connecticut pediatric study suggested that the antibiotics penicillin and cefadroxil would resolve a sore throat that was caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Once thought to be a panacea, penicillin now does not always provide symptomatic relief of these ''strep throats.'' Penicillin is not of value in viral pharyngitis, composing about 60 percent of all sore throats. Antibiotic selection is difficult and often fails to provide benefit. Alleviation of sore throat symptoms is not the sole aim in treatment. In the 1950s and now again, the risk of heart and kidney involvement, as severe consequences of streptococcal infection, has brought caution and concern to sore throat therapy. There are, in addition, other complications, including septicemia, scarlet fever, and in Australia, a toxic shock-like syndrome after infection. In fear of consequences, does a physician not treat at all, overtreat, or treat as he always did? If rapid diagnostic test kits, highly sensitive and specific, were available in the United Kingdom, a general consensus might more readily be possible to achieve. And then there are healthy and asymptomatic carriers, and family contacts to be dealt with. Pediatricians should address each case as a new case, treat the individual, his family and his illness. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Archives of Disease in Childhood
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-9888
Year: 1990
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Sore winners
Article Abstract:
Three non-prescription pain-relievers, aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are evaluated for their usefulness. The best choices are given for fighting headaches, hangovers, toothaches, sore muscles, tennis elbow, stomachache, arthritis, sunburn and gout.
Publication Name: Men's Health
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1054-4836
Year: 1992
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Laryngology and phonosurgery
Article Abstract:
The treatment of conditions that affect the larynx and vocal cords is reviewed. Topics include history, phonosurgery, phonomicrosurgery, glottic cancer, paralysis of the vocal cords, laryngeal dystonias, pediatric laryngology, and future prospects.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2003
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