While not a doctor, I must point out that here in Europe american doctos are usually said to prescribe highier than needed doses of antibiotics. It is just different habits about prescribing medicines. in italy, for instance, it is usual that after an antibiotics prescription the patinent has feedback witht he fdoctor, who adds more days to the thrapy only if needed, while from your answers in the Us doctiors prefer prescribing longer therapies in dorder to avoid patiens to have to come back. On the other hand, in Italy (as well as in several other European countries) we usually do not pay for medical visits, since these are paid through taxes, therefore we do not worry about spending more money on a second visit, while (as far as I know) in the United States you have to pay for every visit, unless you have an insurance.

now on stage: LOL!

mdwife - I have patients aged under 10 who have more insight into basic medical science than you, and who can spell better. Stick to the day job. Let's face it - it's almost certainly viral pharyngitis anyway, which will cure itself without antibiotics, and the risk of side-effects from taking antibiotics probably outweighs the risk of the putative 'Strep throat'. Complications of this are very rare indeed in otherwise healthy folk and symptomatic treatment with paracetamol +/- soluble aspirin gargles will probably suffice. If antibiotics were used, the 'standard' dose would be 500mg thrice daily for 5-7 days, but keep things in proportion - no harm is going to come from a 4 day course (and most patients probably stop treatment early anyway with no ill effects).

to the top...<BR><BR>from Yours truly, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., T.T.T., R.O.F.L.M.A.O.<BR>

Thanks to all who posted...my husband can't believe i posted that question on this forum either...why not Web MD?...can only say I was delirious with fever. <BR><BR>24 hours on antibiotics and now I feel wonderful! Went back to Doctor said it is standard for Amoxicillin, but I can come back and get cultured to see if the Strep has been erradicated. I think the woman who posted about Italy is totally correct- people here just go back to the pharmacist and ask for another dose (and get it!) with no questions asked, no doctors' prescription needed...really, really scary. No wonder there is so much antibiotic resistance in the world!<BR>Sorry to bring down the forum with illness! Happy travels everyone.