The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Primary Article

Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcal Pharyngitis Uncommon in Infectious Mononucleosis

Authors: SUSAN C. MERRIAM RN, MSN, RICHARD P. KEELING MD

Abstract

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) and β-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis may present similar clinical pictures and may occur concurrently; however, recent studies have differed sharply with older ones that cited high rates of concurrent disease. Our study of 100 consecutive new patients meeing strict criteria for a diagnosis of IM found only 4% with positive throat cultures for group A β-hemolytic streptococci at the time of diagnosis. Use of antibiotics for presumed streptococcal pharyngitis in patients with IM is unjustified. Only patients with positive cultures should be treated.

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References