Saw this video report (above) from CNN this morning. At first look, I'm thinking, "Well, this is good, right?" This will cause people to come in and be evaluated for their sore throats. Because at the end of the report, they say, "So, this winter, if you have a sore throat, get a strep test."
But, as my conspiracy theory mind starts to think, could this report further worsen the antibiotic resistance problem in this country? What do I mean by that? Well, by seeing this report, will this cause patients to further push docs to give them that antibiotic for that viral infection? Of course, there is the 48 hour strep culture. But, still. Just to think about the unintended consequences of a report like this is interesting. Now, I have to get back to work. Johnny has a sore throat in exam room two.
2 comments:
Unintended consequesces. Don't you love them?
What really needs to be publicized is the 2-day rule. I've had strep more times than I can count, and it's always been after a sore throat doesn't go away after 2 days (except once, but that was a rare exception and it was WAY obvious when I woke up in the morning).
2 days! Save the money, don't spend it on an unnecessary doctor visit and drugs that aren't needed.
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