An estimated 50% of antibiotic prescriptions may be unjustified in the outpatient setting. Viruses are responsible for most
acute respiratory tract infections. The viral infections are often self-limiting and only symptomatic treatment remains effective.
Bacteria are involved in a small percentage of infections etiology in this area. In the case of a justified or documented
suspicion of a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy may be indicated. Based on the Polish „Recommendations for the management
of non-hospital respiratory infections 2016”, the indications, the rules of choice, the appropriate dosing schedules
and the therapy duration, in the most frequent upper respiratory tract infections in adults, have been presented. Implementation
of the presented recommendations regarding our Polish epidemiological situation, will significantly reduce the tendency
to abuse antibiotics, and thus will limit the spread of drug-resistant microorganisms.
