From the Research
Group C streptococcal pharyngitis is a bacterial throat infection caused by Group C Streptococcus, which requires prompt antibiotic treatment, with the recommended first-line therapy being penicillin V (phenoxymethylpenicillin) 500 mg orally twice daily for 10 days, or amoxicillin 500 mg three times daily for 10 days, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study available 1.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The diagnosis of Group C streptococcal pharyngitis is typically made through rapid strep testing or throat culture.
- Patients with a confirmed diagnosis should start antibiotic treatment as soon as possible to reduce symptom duration, prevent spread to others, and minimize potential complications.
- For penicillin-allergic patients, alternatives include azithromycin 500 mg once daily for 5 days or clindamycin 300 mg three times daily for 10 days, as suggested by previous studies 2, 3.
Supportive Care
Supportive care includes:
- Adequate hydration
- Rest
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and throat pain
Clinical Considerations
While Group C strep is less commonly associated with post-streptococcal complications than Group A strep, antibiotic treatment is still important to prevent complications and recurrence, as highlighted in a study on the severity of symptoms and the demonstration of scarlet fever developing from infection with this organism 4.
Patient Expectations
Patients should expect improvement within 48-72 hours of starting antibiotics, and they can return to normal activities 24 hours after beginning treatment as they're no longer considered contagious at that point.