How to Treat Streptococcal Infections

Streptococcal infections are caused by any bacterium in the Streptococcus genus, usually Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal pharyngitis or "strep throat" is one of the most common conditions a pediatrician will see. Streptococcus has also become a common cause of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in recent years. Acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever and scarlet fever are potentially serious complications. The following steps will show how to treat streptococcal infections.

Instructions

1. Expect streptococcal infections to resolve without treatment in most cases. However, antibiotics should still be taken promptly to prevent complications. Penicillin is still very effective although resistance has been reported for azithromycin and related antibiotics. Oral treatment should last about ten days.

2. Provide cephalosporin as an effective alternative if the patient is not allergic to penicillin. Otherwise, erythromycin can be considered.

3. Treat TSS with antibiotics to cover both staphylococcal and streptococcal sources until a diagnosis has been made. Once it has been confirmed as a streptococcal infection, clindamycin is considered the drug of choice.

4. Provide bedrest for patients with acute gloverulonephritis to decrease the demands on the kidneys and improve kidney function.

5. Administer a protective treatment to patients with acute rheumatic fever. A typical regimen includes an injection of 1.2 million units of benzathine penicillin G or 200,000 units of penicillin V each month. Oral treatments include 250 mg penicillin V or erythromycin. Treat should continue for five year and may need to be life long in the case of rheumatic heart disease.