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Child With High Levels Of ESR, ASOT. Advised Phenoxy Methyl Penicillin Followed By Erythromycin. Right Approach?
Its a very common event here in Egypt that Children have high E.S.R. and ASOT as the only positive findings and physicians tend to give phenoxy methyl penecillin till ESR is back to normal to be followed by erythromycin orally as a preventive therapy in winter. Is this an evident approach? you know Rheumatic heart diseases are of considerable amplitude in Egypt.
Wed, 21 Aug 2013
hi
thanks for your query
i can feel your concerns
it is not a good practice.high ESR can be because of multiple reasons. it can be raised because of anaemia as well.it is important to have a proper history ,examination and then prescribe antibiotic only if needed.these antibiotics have there own side effects as well.
hope i have ansewered your query
i am available for your help
regards
dr.imran
thanks for your query
i can feel your concerns
it is not a good practice.high ESR can be because of multiple reasons. it can be raised because of anaemia as well.it is important to have a proper history ,examination and then prescribe antibiotic only if needed.these antibiotics have there own side effects as well.
hope i have ansewered your query
i am available for your help
regards
dr.imran
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Dear user,
To base the diagnosis of RHD on these two tests alone is not justifiable as there are strict criteria for labelling any case as rheumatic fever (The Revised Jones' Criteria, American Heart Association - see http://www.medicalcriteria.com/criteria/car_jones.htm)
Thus, I do NOT agree with the use of antibiotics in this fashion at all on the basis of a raised ESR and ASOT. In fact, a simple sore throat caused by the streptococcus may produce both these findings without there being ANY EVIDENCE of rheumatic fever. On the other hand, prophylactic use of antibiotics to PREVENT strep infections is not based on any firm evidence, so again, it's a NO from my side.
- Dr. Taher
To base the diagnosis of RHD on these two tests alone is not justifiable as there are strict criteria for labelling any case as rheumatic fever (The Revised Jones' Criteria, American Heart Association - see http://www.medicalcriteria.com/criteria/car_jones.htm)
Thus, I do NOT agree with the use of antibiotics in this fashion at all on the basis of a raised ESR and ASOT. In fact, a simple sore throat caused by the streptococcus may produce both these findings without there being ANY EVIDENCE of rheumatic fever. On the other hand, prophylactic use of antibiotics to PREVENT strep infections is not based on any firm evidence, so again, it's a NO from my side.
- Dr. Taher
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
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