Treatment of Sore Throats: Antibiotic Prescriptions and Throat Cultures for Children under 18 Years of Age, 2002-2004 (Average Annual). Statistical Brief No. 137

摘要

Upper respiratory infections are common in children, and inappropriate treatment of these infections with an antibiotic is a public health concern. In particular, inappropriate use can have a negative impact on the effectiveness of antibiotics and increase the risk of infection with a drug-resistant pathogen. This Statistical Brief uses data from the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC) to examine the percentages of children under 18 years of age for whom, within the past 12 months, (1) contact was made with a doctor or other health professional primarily regarding a serious sore throat,( 2) an antibiotic was prescribed for those who contacted a health professional, and (3) a throat swab was administered before prescribing an antibiotic. Variations in these three measures are examined by selected demographic characteristics and insurance status. Average annual estimates are shown for 2002-2004, and only differences that are statistically significant at the 0.05 level or better are cited in the text.