Pharyngeal infection caused by group A β-hemolytic streptococci (“strep throat”) or common cold virus
H/P = sore throat, lymphadenopathy, possible nasal congestion; fever, red and swollen pharynx, tonsillar exudates (more common with bacterial infection)
Labs = throat culture grows streptococcal species, and rapid streptococcal antigen test is positive for strep throat; negative culture suggests viral etiology
Treatment = self-limited; β-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, amoxicillin, etc.) reduce infection time
Complications = untreated infection can cause acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease; treatment does not affect the development of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (characterized by a high antistreptolysin O titer)