Most sore throats viral. No antibiotics needed.

The majority of throat infections are viral and should not be treated with antibiotics, according to new guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Published in the September issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, the guidelines are aimed at limiting treatment of viral infections with antibiotics and correctly identifying and treating cases of group A streptococcal pharyngitis ("strep throat").

Up to 70% of Americans with a sore throat receive antibiotics. However, bacteria are responsible for only 20% to 30% of pediatric cases and 5% to 15% of adult cases.

Researchers in the study state that strep throat is a common disease, but viral infections are more common. It is important to differentiate them, so that patients do not get unnecessary antibiotics, which can carry side effects for the individual, and also increases the chance that the next infection (whether in the same person or the next) will become resistant to the antibiotic. It may also help kids avoid unnecessary surgery for recurrent sore throats.

Bonnie: We need many more studies so it can be pounded into the public's head that antibiotics are not the answer in the majority of cases. I have of that patients dropping their physicians because they refused to prescribe an antibiotic for a viral infection.