Sore throats and microbiological diagnosis
Mathiassen, P.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 142(8): 511-512
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 6989073 Document Number: 5767
A prospective investigation in general practice of 160 patients with presumed streptococcal sore throat revealed growth of haemolytic streptococci Group A in only half of the patients under the age of 13 years. The percentage of positive cultures decreased with increasing age. The predictive value of the clinical diagnosis is poor but the microbiological diagnosis is troublesome and time-consuming for the patient and expensive for the National Health Service. General practitioners' diagnostic and therapeutic problems are not solved by microbiological methods but by sufficient knowledge and clinical experience.
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