Principles of Judicious Use of Antimicrobial Agents for Pediatric Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 101 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 163-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott F. Dowell ◽  
S. Michael Marcy ◽  
William R. Phillips ◽  
Michael A. Gerber ◽  
Benjamin Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
The United States ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Oral Agents ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

This article introduces a set of principles to define judicious antimicrobial use for five conditions that account for the majority of outpatient antimicrobial use in the United States. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicate that in recent years, approximately three fourths of all outpatient antibiotics have been prescribed for otitis media, sinusitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, or nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection.1Antimicrobial drug use rates are highest for children1; therefore, the pediatric age group represents the focus for the present guidelines. The evidence-based principles presented here are focused on situations in which antimicrobial therapy could be curtailed without compromising patient care. They are not formulated as comprehensive management strategies. For most upper respiratory infections that require antimicrobial treatment, there are several appropriate oral agents from which to choose. Although the general principles of selecting narrow-spectrum agents with the fewest side effects and lowest cost are important, the principles that follow include few specific antibiotic selection recommendations.

Bacterial Infections of the Adult Upper Respiratory Tract

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura K Certain ◽  
Miriam B Barshak
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common maladies experienced by humankind.1 The majority are caused by respiratory viruses. A Dutch case-controlled study of primary care patients with acute respiratory tract infections found that viruses accounted for 58% of cases; rhinovirus was the most common (24%), followed by influenza virus type A (11%) and corona­viruses (7%). Group A streptococcus (GAS) was responsible for 11%, and 3% of patients had mixed infections. Potential pathogens were detected in 30% of control patients who were free of acute respiratory symptoms; rhinovirus was the most common.2 Given the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance and the increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy microbiome, antibiotic use for upper respiratory infections should be reserved for those patients with clear indications for treatment. A recent study of adult outpatient visits in the United States found that respiratory complaints accounted for 150 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 population annually, yet the expected “appropriate” rate would be 45.3 In other words, most antibiotic prescriptions for these complaints are unnecessary. Similarly, a study in the United Kingdom found that general practitioners prescribed antibiotics to about half of all patients presenting with an upper respiratory infection, even though most of these infections are viral.4 This review contains 5 figures, 16 tables, and 82 references. Keywords: infection, airway, sinusitis, otitis media, otitis externa, pharyngitis, epiglottitis, abscess

Tonsillopharyngitis 1994

1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 185-191
Author(s):  
Floyd W. Denny
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Acute Respiratory Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Tract Infections

Acute infections of the upper respiratory tract, including those of the tonsils and pharynx, are the most common affliction of humans; their tendency to occur with much greater frequency in children makes them especially important to the pediatrician. A host of microbial agents can cause these infections, but only a few are responsive to antimicrobial agents. Because of the paucity of definitive laboratory tools that allow easy recognition of the cause of most acute respiratory infections, it is important for the practicing pediatrician to have other methods to aid in the clinical management of children who have these infections. This review will discuss the etiology and epidemiology of acute respiratory infections that involve primarily the tonsils and pharynx, with emphasis on how this knowledge can guide clinicians in their management. The groundwork for this approach will be laid by suggesting a classification of upper respiratory tract infections that involve the tonsils and pharynx. Causative agents will be enumerated and put into perspective. The major factors associated with the occurrence of acute upper respiratory tract infections will be discussed. Finally, treatment of the patient who has tonsillopharyngitis will be presented. Uncomplicated acute tonsillopharyngitis will be emphasized primarily and the role of complications only mentioned.

Bacterial Infections of the Adult Upper Respiratory Tract

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura K Certain ◽  
Miriam B Barshak
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common maladies experienced by humankind.1 The majority are caused by respiratory viruses. A Dutch case-controlled study of primary care patients with acute respiratory tract infections found that viruses accounted for 58% of cases; rhinovirus was the most common (24%), followed by influenza virus type A (11%) and corona­viruses (7%). Group A streptococcus (GAS) was responsible for 11%, and 3% of patients had mixed infections. Potential pathogens were detected in 30% of control patients who were free of acute respiratory symptoms; rhinovirus was the most common.2 Given the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance and the increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy microbiome, antibiotic use for upper respiratory infections should be reserved for those patients with clear indications for treatment. A recent study of adult outpatient visits in the United States found that respiratory complaints accounted for 150 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 population annually, yet the expected “appropriate” rate would be 45.3 In other words, most antibiotic prescriptions for these complaints are unnecessary. Similarly, a study in the United Kingdom found that general practitioners prescribed antibiotics to about half of all patients presenting with an upper respiratory infection, even though most of these infections are viral.4 This review contains 5 figures, 16 tables, and 82 references. Keywords: infection, airway, sinusitis, otitis media, otitis externa, pharyngitis, epiglottitis, abscess

scholarly journals Viral etiology and epidemiology of pediatric patients hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections in Macao: a retrospective study from 2014 to 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Lei ◽  
Lisong Yang ◽  
Cheong Tat Lou ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Kin Ian SiTou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Viral Etiology ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Background Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are among the leading causes of hospitalization in children. Understanding the local dominant viral etiologies is important to inform infection control practices and clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the viral etiology and epidemiology of respiratory infections among pediatric inpatients in Macao. Methods A retrospective study using electronic health records between 2014 and 2017 at Kiang Wu Hospital was performed. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were obtained from hospitalized children aged 13 years or younger with respiratory tract diseases. xMAP multiplex assays were employed to detect respiratory agents including 10 respiratory viruses. Data were analyzed to describe the frequency and seasonality. Results Of the 4880 children enrolled in the study, 3767 (77.1%) were positive for at least one of the 13 viral pathogens tested, of which 2707 (55.5%) being male and 2635 (70.0%) under 2 years old. Among the positive results, there were 3091 (82.0%) single infections and 676 (18.0%) multiple infections. The predominant viruses included human rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/EV 27.4%), adenovirus (ADV, 15.8%), respiratory syncytial virus B (RSVB, 7.8%) and respiratory syncytial virus A (RSVA, 7.8%). The detection of viral infection was the most prevalent in autumn (960/1176, 81.6%), followed by spring (1095/1406, 77.9%), winter (768/992, 77.4%), and summer (944/1306, 72.3%), with HRV/EV and ADV being most commonly detected throughout the 4 years of study period. The detection rate of viral infection was highest among ARI patients presented with croup (123/141, 87.2%), followed by lower respiratory tract infection (1924/2356, 81.7%) and upper respiratory tract infection (1720/2383, 72.2%). FluA, FluB and ADV were positive factors for upper respiratory tract infections. On the other hand, infection with RSVA, RSVB, PIV3, PIV4, HMPV, and EV/RHV were positively associated with lower respiratory tract infections; and PIV1, PIV2, and PIV3 were positively associated with croup. Conclusions This is the first study in Macao to determine the viral etiology and epidemiology of pediatric patients hospitalized for ARIs. The study findings can contribute to the awareness of pathogen, appropriate preventative measure, accurate diagnosis, and proper clinical management of respiratory viral infections among children in Macao.

The Role of Bacterial Interference in Otitis, Sinusitis and Tonsillitis

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itzhak Brook
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Bacterial Interference

Bacterial interactions that include antagonism (interference) and synergism help maintain balance between the members of the normal endogenous flora. Alpha-streptococci that predominate in the normal respiratory tract flora attracted most attention in studies of bacterial interference. Other organisms that possess interfering characteristics in upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are nonhemolytic streptococci, and Prevotella and Peptostreptococcus spp. The production of bacteriocins by some microorganisms is one of the important mechanisms of interference. The role of bacterial interference in the development of URTI and its effect on the eradication of these infections is discussed. These infections include pharyngo-tonsillitis, otitis media, and sinusitis. Treatment with various antimicrobial agents can affect the balance between members of the oro-pharyngeal bacterial flora and interfering organisms. Implantation into the indigenous microflora of low virulence bacterial strains that are potentially capable of interfering with colonization and infection with other more virulent organisms has been used in preliminary studies as a means of coping with the failure of antimicrobials in the treatment of several URTI.

Antibiotic therapy of acute upper respiratory tract infections and otitis media in adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Paź ◽  
Magdalena Arimowicz
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

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.

Recurrent Infections

1989 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 180-182
Author(s):  
Richard Hong
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Recurrent Infections ◽  
Recurrent Respiratory Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

Recurrent infections constitute a major challenge to primary care physicians. Primary immunodeficiency or other alterations of the host defense system are extremely rare. In the case of recurrent respiratory infections, particularly of the lungs, a diagnosis will result much more often from ordering a sweat chloride test than a serum immunoglobulin level. RECURRENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS The major reason for referral to our clinic for investigation of the immune system is a complaint of too many upper respiratory tract infections. Each respiratory infection in a young child means loss of sleep for child and parents, expenditure of time at the physician's office, and possible loss of income in addition to the expense of medication and office visits. The child is often irritable and his or her misery clouds the home atmosphere. With repeated episodes of this sort each year, it is small wonder that parents want relief. The average number of upper respiratory tract infections experienced by healthy children is approximately 9 to 10 per year. At least 100 viruses can cause the common cold. Accordingly, even when a child has a normal immune system establishing immunity to each virus or virus subtype, it can take many years for a broad enough immunity to develop to diminish the frequency of infection due to newly encountered respiratory viruses.

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