Streptococcal pharyngitis in toddlers. Some details

Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common childhood diseases. Guidelines on the diagnosis of children with streptococcal pharyngitis sugges that the most recommended age to perform a rapid antigen detection is more than three years old, because among children younger than this age the possibility/likelihood of bacterial infection is very low and the risk of acute rheumatic fever is also very low. There is an exception of this situation that we want to remark: patients younger than 3 years old, symptomatic, with a close contact (sibling or kindergarten) with group A Streptococcal pharyngitis. It’s important considering the performance of a rapid antigen detection test and the treatment if positive, not just to prevent complications, but also for the reduction in the transmission of the disease to family members, classmates and other close contacts of the patient.