Antibiotic Treatment of Adults With Sore Throat by Community Primary Care Physicians

Abstract
Sore throat accounts for 2.1% of ambulatory visits in the United States and is the second most common symptomatic reason for seeking care, after cough.1 Most sore throats are due to upper respiratory tract viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, and adenovirus.2 The main bacterial cause of sore throat is group A β-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS), which is cultured in 15% to 36% of children and 5% to 17% of adults with sore throat.3-9 Group A β-hemolytic streptococci is the only common cause of sore throat warranting antibiotic treatment.10