Deadly Sore Throat Ailment On Rise In UK

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Deadly Sore Throat Ailment On Rise In UK

9-9-2

LONDON (Reuters Health) - A potentially deadly disease that begins as a sore

throat is making a comeback in the UK, possibly because doctors are being

told not to prescribe antibiotics for throat infections, scientists said on

Monday.

Lemierre's disease was common in the early 20th century but largely

disappeared with the advent of antibiotics. The symptoms are a sore throat

followed by infection in the lungs and liver and septicaemia (blood

poisoning). The disease is fatal if not treated.

Scientists with the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) see an average

of about 20 infections a year in England and Wales. But 37 cases were

identified 1999, and higher numbers were seen in 2001, researchers said at

the service's annual conference on Monday.

Dr. Jon Brazier, from the PHLS Anaerobe Reference Unit in Cardiff, said

guidelines issued in 1999 urging general practitioners (GPs) not to use

antibiotics for sore throats might be partly responsible.

" We cannot be sure, but it may be that this recent increase is due to a

reluctance to prescribe antibiotics, " Brazier said.

Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, which are not improved by

antibiotic treatment. Doctors have been urged to avoid using antibiotics for

viral infections because this contributes to the serious problem of

antibiotic resistance.

But the rare Lemierre's disease is caused by a bacterium called

Fusobacterium necrophorum, which responds to antibiotics.

" The key to tackling this infection is early treatment with antibiotics, but

the problem with this is that one of the initial symptoms is a sore throat, "

Brazier said in a statement.

He said doctors should be aware of the condition so that they can consider

antibiotic treatment if symptoms continue after a few days.

" This infection can be distinguished from viral sore throats by the severity

and duration of the symptoms, " he said.

Other clues include symptoms such as fever and tender swollen lymph nodes,

together with the absence of symptoms such as a dry cough or runny nose, he

said.