management

Last reviewed 01/2018

Diagnosis establishes an excellent prognosis, therefore it is useful to perform a throat swab and measure antistreptolysin titres in all suspected cases.

Supportive measures include proper monitoring with weighing twice daily, vital signs four hourly, and strict monitoring of fluid input and output. In the first day the patient should be given one third normal maintenance fluids; in subsequent days the previous day's output and insensible losses are replaced.

Diet should be high in carbohydrate, with protein adjusted to reflect the urea levels in the blood. Hypertensives may be given a low sodium diet, hyperkalaemic patients may have fruit juices and other high potassium foods restricted.

Daily urinalysis and measurement of abdominal girth is also recommended.