Paediatric infections: streptococcal pharyngitis treatment: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Paediatric infections: streptococcal pharyngitis treatment

Sample item

A 7-year-old has fever, tonsillar exudate, tender anterior cervical nodes and no cough. A rapid antigen test for group A streptococcus is positive. Which treatment best prevents rheumatic fever?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Oral penicillin V for 10 days

Eradicating group A streptococci within 9 days of onset prevents acute rheumatic fever, and a full 10-day course of penicillin V (or a single IM benzathine penicillin dose) is needed. Shorter courses fail to eradicate the organism. Cotrimoxazole does not reliably eradicate group A streptococci.

Option by option

  • A. Cotrimoxazole for 10 days

    Cotrimoxazole is not reliable for group A streptococcal eradication.

  • B. Paracetamol alone

    Symptom relief alone leaves the organism and the risk of rheumatic fever.

  • C. Oral penicillin for 3 days

    A 3-day course is too short for eradication.

  • D. Oral penicillin V for 10 days (correct)

    Correct. A full 10-day course eradicates the organism and prevents rheumatic fever.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Oral penicillin V for 10 days. Eradicating group A streptococci within 9 days of onset prevents acute rheumatic fever, and a full 10-day course of penicillin V (or a single IM benzathine penicillin dose) is needed.

Why is "Cotrimoxazole for 10 days" not the answer?

Cotrimoxazole is not reliable for group A streptococcal eradication.

Why is "Paracetamol alone" not the answer?

Symptom relief alone leaves the organism and the risk of rheumatic fever.

Why is "Oral penicillin for 3 days" not the answer?

A 3-day course is too short for eradication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: streptococcal pharyngitis treatment in Pediatrics. Shorter courses fail to eradicate the organism. Cotrimoxazole does not reliably eradicate group A streptococci.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric infections: streptococcal pharyngitis treatment?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.