Rational use of antibiotics to treat respiratory tract infections.

OBJECTIVES

To foster the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents for respiratory tract infections and to review factors that should help achieve this objective.

STUDY DESIGN

Review of evidence-based guidelines and recommendations for proper antibiotic drug use for respiratory tract infections.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic drug overuse and inappropriate antibiotic drug selection are associated with increased drug resistance among respiratory pathogens (most notably, Streptococcus pneumoniae), possible progression to chronic disease, and increased treatment costs. Awareness of clinical manifestations that help differentiate viral from bacterial infection and the use of guidelines can promote the appropriate management of respiratory tract infections. Community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, and selected cases of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (50%) warrant antimicrobial therapy, whereas otitis media with effusion, acute bronchitis, and most rhinosinusitis are viral and do not require antibiotic therapy.