• Knowledgebase: Information on Specific Illnesses

    Here you will find discussions of specific illnesses and their management.

    8. My son tested negative for strep, but was prescribed an antibiotic. Why? - Top

    In general, the only "treatable" pharyngitis or tonsillitis is strep (with the exception of gonorrhea in sexually active adults).

    Sometimes in cases of severe tonsillitis an antibiotic may be given in hopes of improvement.

    The most common reason for giving an antibiotic would be that the practitioner found some other findings such as evidence of sinusitis or an ear infection.

    - Updated: September 25, 2002

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP