How is strep infection treated?
Because of potential significant complications (described below), if strep throat is detected, it must be treated adequately with antibiotics. It is important to take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed and not to stop the medication when symptoms resolve. Prematurely discontinuing antibiotics can result in the infection being inadequately treated, with potentially adverse consequences or relapse of the infection. Streptococcus is highly responsive to penicillin and the cephalosporin antibiotics. Penicillin has shown good effectiveness, and it is reliable and cheap. Oral penicillin V (Pen-Vee-K, Veetids) is the preferred oral form of penicillin for strep throat. The usual dose is 250 milligrams three times a day or 500 milligrams twice a day. A full 10 day course must be completed although patients usually feel better only after two to three days. Injectable penicillin G (Bicillin) is also very effective and may be used in individuals who may not reliably take 10 days of antib
