Tonsillitis

There are no accepted strategies for the primary prevention of acute tonsillitis. However, it is thought that limiting exposure to carriers or patients with group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillitis may prevent GABHS infection, given that the rate of transmission from an infectious person to close contacts is about 35%. Antibiotic treatment does have a role in reducing transmission of GABHS in cases of epidemics: after 24 hours of treatment with penicillin, cultures are negative in most cases.[10]Snellman LW, Stang HJ, Stang JM, et al. Duration of positive throat cultures for group A streptococci after initiation of antibiotic therapy. Pediatrics. 1993;91:1166-1170. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8502522?tool=bestpractice.com Household contacts should be evaluated for symptoms. Nothing should be done unless they develop. Patients and household contacts should be advised to avoid prolonged direct contact for the first few days of sore throat.