A 5-year-old with sore throat and enlarged tonsils most likely has what type of infection if it’s bacterial?

A 5-year-old with sore throat and enlarged tonsils most likely has what type of infection if it’s bacterial?

• A. The etiology is most likely viral
• B. Primary role of antibiotics is to prevent complications
• C. Treatment of choice is azithromycin
• D. Vaccination prevents recurrence

Answer: (B)

The most likely scenario when a child presents with a sore throat and enlarged tonsils, indicating a bacterial infection, is often streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as strep throat. In cases of bacterial infections, specifically strep throat, antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin are primarily used to eradicate the bacteria. However, one of the key considerations in treating bacterial infections, particularly strep throat, is the prevention of complications such as rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. These complications can arise if the infection is left untreated, leading to more serious health issues. Thus, the primary role of antibiotics in this context serves not just to alleviate symptoms but to prevent serious long-term complications associated with the bacterial infection. This highlights the importance of prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy in managing bacterial infections in children, thereby reinforcing the answer's accuracy regarding the role of antibiotics. Other options, while relevant to understanding the broader context of infections and treatments, do not directly address the question of the primary function of antibiotics in bacterial infections like streptococcal pharyngitis. For instance, while it's true that some infections may have a viral etiology or that vaccination may prevent certain infections, neither of

The most likely scenario when a child presents with a sore throat and enlarged tonsils, indicating a bacterial infection, is often streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as strep throat. In cases of bacterial infections, specifically strep throat, antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin are primarily used to eradicate the bacteria. However, one of the key considerations in treating bacterial infections, particularly strep throat, is the prevention of complications such as rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. These complications can arise if the infection is left untreated, leading to more serious health issues.

Thus, the primary role of antibiotics in this context serves not just to alleviate symptoms but to prevent serious long-term complications associated with the bacterial infection. This highlights the importance of prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy in managing bacterial infections in children, thereby reinforcing the answer's accuracy regarding the role of antibiotics.

Other options, while relevant to understanding the broader context of infections and treatments, do not directly address the question of the primary function of antibiotics in bacterial infections like streptococcal pharyngitis. For instance, while it's true that some infections may have a viral etiology or that vaccination may prevent certain infections, neither of