Management of streptococcal pharyngitis: the conundrum of acute rheumatic fever

The incidence of acute rheumatic fever in the residents of three counties in Ontario (population 507,300) from 1975 to 1986 inclusive was 0.17 hospitalized cases per 100,000 population (0.4 per 100,000 for 5- to 19-year-olds). Indigent patients (0.6 per 100,000) and North American Indians (2 per 100,000) had substantially higher rates. This experience is in marked contrast to recent outbreaks of acute rheumatic fever in areas of the United States, but is similar to experience in the United Kingdom. The implications of this data on the current management of the streptococcal sore throat is reviewed, showing the complexities of real-life prevention of acute rheumatic fever.