[Prevention of streptococcal infections and post-streptococcal complications]

Starting from the particularities of the streptococcal infections, and the possibilities for fighting acute forms and the immediate and late complications, multiple aspects are discussed that should be implied by the prophylaxis of this infection in the present stage. Aspects of primary prophylaxis are treated separately, that are related to the limiting of the circulation of the etiologic agent, especially in view of preventing the epidemic forms of the disease. Also aspects of secondary prophylaxis are discussed, aimed at preventing streptococcal re-infections in subjects in whom complications such as rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis have occured. "Primary prophylaxis" represents the key to the limitation of the streptococcal infection on the one hand, and of the transformation of acute articular rheumatic fever, of rheumatic carditis and of acute glomerulonephritis in "rarely encountered" diseases, on the other.