A Developing Country's Public Health Agency Conducts an Epidemiology Research

A developing country's public health agency conducts an epidemiology research to determine the countrywide prevalence of upper respiratory infections among youngsters. The statistics suggest a significant prevalence of bacterial pharyngitis in children. According to current practice guidelines, a fast test should be conducted in children to detect the presence of bacterial antigens. If this test is negative, a throat culture is conducted, which is the gold standard for definite diagnosis. To save costs and avoid losing patients to follow-up, the department is contemplating suggesting penicillin as an empiric therapy for suspected bacterial pharyngitis. Which of the following would be expected to decrease after long-term implementation of this guideline?

A) Deaths associated with diarrheal illness
B) Diagnoses of serum sickness-like reactions
C) Incidence of nephritic syndrome
D) Need for cardiac surgery
E) Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics