WtP – “The issue is how long to continue the antibiotics- the protocol I got from a practitioner who is up on the latest research- who actually is part of the latest research – is to continue until symptoms subside and then slowly taper the dose.”
BALONEY!!!
This is from Emedicine about Pharyngitis due to Strep.:
“Circumstances dictating that a choice other than penicillin V should be used
Compliance: Oral penicillin requires multiple daily doses and a 10-day course. In patients unlikely to adhere to this regimen, one dose of intramuscular benzathine penicillin provides a depot that releases medication over the course. Recent reports have supported the use of once-daily amoxicillin and verified its noninferiority to twice-daily penicillin [44] or twice-daily amoxicillin. [45] Azithromycin, cefdinir, and cefpodoxime may all be given in 5-day courses, although none of these medications should not be considered a first-line agent given their extended spectrum and risk for promoting antibiotic resistance. [1, 48, 49] Furthermore, although no differences in treatment outcomes have been found between macrolides and penicillin, children experienced more adverse events with macrolides. [47]
Palatability: Some young children find oral penicillin unpalatable. Taste tests and many doctors’ experiences have shown amoxicillin to be much better tolerated. [50] Amoxicillin’s similar spectrum and low cost make it a reasonable substitute.
Recurrence: Test of cure is not indicated when pharyngitis symptoms have resolved following treatment. In patients with recurrent symptoms, retreatment with an initial first-line agent (oral penicillin, benzathine penicillin, or a first-generation cephalosporin) is reasonable. Worth noting is the difficulty in differentiating between viral pharyngitis with GABHS carriage and actual GABHS pharyngitis. This becomes even more of an issue in patients with multiple recurrences. Between 5% and 15% of children are asymptomatic carriers during seasons when GABHS pharyngitis is most prevalent. [55] A positive test result during a time of wellness may indicate GABHS carriage. When multiple recurrences are believed to be due to GABHS infection, clindamycin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is indicated. [1]”