[Complications of acute ENT infections].

Acute infections in the head and neck belong to the most frequent human diseases and account for a high percentage of prescriptions for oral antibiotics. Because most infections only need symptomatic treatment and with the doubtful benefit of antibiotic treatment in some studies there is consense that routinely prescribed antibiotics for infections of the upper airway should be abandoned. Uncritical use of antibiotics is a likely cause for an increasing rate of drug resistant bacteria and many antibiotics have side effects. On the other hand the rate of serious complications of infections in the head and neck might increase if restrictions for the prescription of antibiotics are too strong. Only an adequate antibiotic treatment minimizes the rate of infectious complications and surgical procedures needed. In general serious complications of acute infections in the head and neck are rare but when appearing they might be life-threatening. The family doctor plays an important role in the early recognition and proper management of these infections. Symptoms, differential diagnostic considerations and treatment options of the most common infections in the head and neck are therefore presented.