[Use of antibiotics in ambulatory care. Results and reflections on a survey of practicing physicians in the canton of Zurich].

To survey antibiotic use in general practice, questionnaires were sent to 1160 practitioners in the Canton of Zurich. 510 (44%) were returned. Antibiotics had been administered for respiratory tract infections in 60% and urinary tract infections in 20% of cases. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, followed by oral penicillin, tetracycline and aminopenicillin were prescribed most frequently. Adverse side effects do not appear to be significant in general practice. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of the most frequent infectious diseases occurring in an outpatient population are presented.