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What is the most appropriate treatment for strep throat?

1) penicillin V 250mg BID x5days and tylenol for pain or fever
2) azithromycin for 5 days and ibuprofen
3) penicillin V 500mg bid for 10 days with tylenol for pain and fever
4) cephalexin 500mg BID for 10 days

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The appropriate treatment for strep throat among the options given is penicillin V 500mg BID for 10 days with Tylenol for symptomatic relief. It aligns with medical guidelines for treating Streptococcus pyogenes infections and ensures the complete eradication of the bacteria.

Step-by-step explanation:

When treating strep throat, the most appropriate treatment option listed is penicillin V 500mg BID for 10 days with Tylenol for pain and fever. This treatment is in line with general medical guidelines for treating infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, which recommend the use of penicillin or amoxicillin as first-line therapy for streptococcal infections due to their effectiveness and the lack of widespread resistance in streptococci. Additionally, the full 10-day course is essential to eradicate the bacteria completely and reduce the risk of sequela. For managing symptoms such as pain and fever, Tylenol is an appropriate choice.

  • Penicillin works by destroying the cell wall of the bacteria, effectively killing it.
  • Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial even if symptoms improve earlier to prevent antibiotic resistance and potential sequelae like acute rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis.
  • For pain and fever, Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used to provide symptomatic relief.

Other treatments such as azithromycin and ibuprofen or cephalexin could be used if the patient is allergic to penicillin or in cases where penicillin resistance is suspected.

User Dmytro Zakharov
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