Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Nonspecific Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults: Background
Annals of Internal MedicinePublished 20 March 2001
Ralph Gonzales, John G. Bartlett, Richard E. Besser, John Hickner, Jerome R. Hoffman, Merle A. Sande
Citations192
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score3.38
SNIP3.27
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TL;DR
The goals of this paper are to provide evidence-based recommendations for when to apply the diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection and when to consider antibiotic treatment of adults with an uncomplicated upper respiratory tracts infection.
Abstract
The following principles of appropriate antibiotic use for adults with nonspecific upper respiratory tract infections apply to immunocompetent adults without complicating comorbid conditions, such as chronic lung or heart disease.1. The diagnosis of nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection or acute rhinopharyngitis should be used to denote an acute infection that is typically viral in origin and in which sinus, pharyngeal, and lower airway symptoms, although frequently present, are not prominent. 2. Antibiotic treatment of adults with nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection does not enhance illness resolution and is not recommended. Studies specifically testing the impact of antibiotic treatment on complications of nonspecific upper respiratory tract infections have not been performed in adults. Life-threatening complications of upper respiratory tract infection are rare.3. Purulent secretions from the nares or throat (commonly observed in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection) predict neither bacterial infection nor benefit from antibiotic treatment.
Keywords
MedicineHealth Professions
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