Group A Strep Antibiotic Resistance Has Increased
New data show rising resistance to common antibiotics, changing how doctors approach childhood sore throats.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Asthma
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About 30% of group A strep bacteria are now resistant to azithromycin and clindamycin, according to findings presented at an American Academy of Pediatrics conference. This shift highlights a need to reduce unnecessary antibiotic testing and prescribing in children.
Why it matters
Overtesting leads to the overprescription of antibiotics for viral illnesses, which contributes to the development of bacterial resistance. Selective testing helps preserve effective treatments while ensuring children receive appropriate care.
A 2025 JAMA study reported that invasive group A strep resistance to macrolides and clindamycin rose to 33.1% in 2022, up from 12.7% in 2013. While these findings are significant, no clinical isolate of group A strep has been found resistant to penicillin or cephalosporins.
The players
Dr. Hamdy
A pediatric specialist who presented research on antibiotic resistance in group A strep.
American Academy of Pediatrics
A professional association dedicated to the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents.
The details
Clinicians identify low-risk children for testing by evaluating specific symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, and hoarseness, which often indicate a viral rather than bacterial cause for a sore throat. To improve diagnostic accuracy, researchers are testing a machine-learning tool called the Strep App. This tool combines clinical information with throat photos to determine if a child actually requires a strep test, aiming to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use in healthy carriers, who make up 12% to 20% of children.
Timeline
Antibiotics were prescribed in 53% of sore-throat visits between 1995 and 2003.
Resistance to macrolides and clindamycin was 12.7% in 2013.
Invasive strep resistance reached 33.1% in 2022.
A JAMA study regarding invasive strep resistance was published in 2025.
Dr. Hamdy presented these findings at the AAP conference on October 5, 2026.
Health Landscape
This development marks a departure from historic prescribing patterns, which saw antibiotics used in over half of all pediatric sore-throat visits between 1995 and 2003. It aligns with broader efforts to combat bacterial resistance by reserving treatments for verified infections.
If your child has a sore throat, it is worth discussing with your doctor whether a test is truly necessary, as common symptoms like a cough may indicate a viral illness that antibiotics cannot treat. Penicillin and amoxicillin remain highly effective options when a bacterial infection is confirmed.
The takeaway
While antibiotic resistance is rising, traditional treatments like penicillin remain effective against group A strep infections. Always clarify with your physician if a diagnostic test is appropriate based on your child's specific symptoms.
Further reading
For more on managing common pediatric respiratory and throat conditions, visit the Asthma section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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