Fig. 1

Observation time for patients with pharyngotonsillitis. In cohort 1 the index visit was defined as the first visit with a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for group A streptococci (GAS) performed on the same day. In cohort 2, the index visit was defined as the first visit where a throat culture was performed within seven days. For a visit to be eligible there should neither be a visit for pharyngotonsillitis or a complication nor an antibiotic prescription during the last 30 days. In the follow-up, each patient was assessed for new visits for pharyngotonsillitis, a complication, and tonsillectomy up to 90 days from the index visit