Pattern and Appropriateness of Antimicrobial Prescriptions for Upper Respiratory Tract and Dental Infections in Male Prisoners in Italy

Background: This study explored the antimicrobial prescribing pattern for upper respiratory tract and dental infections in prisoners in Italy, with specific attention paid to the appropriateness of indication and its potential determinants. Methods: This investigation was conducted through the consultation of clinical records of adult male inmates in a prison in the south of Italy. Results: Prescription of antimicrobials for upper respiratory tract infections ranged from 41.9% in influenza diagnoses to 88% in pharyngitis diagnoses, with high prevalence also for bronchitis (73.5%) and common cold (57.7%), and those for dental infections ranged from 82% in pulp necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis/pulp necrosis and localized acute apical abscess diagnoses, to 85.7% in symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with or without symptomatic apical periodontitis diagnoses. The most frequently prescribed antimicrobial was amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (33.8%), followed by amoxicillin (26.5%), macrolides (19.8%) and third-generation cephalosporins (7.9%). The overall antimicrobial overprescription was 69.4%, whereas an antimicrobial prescription was provided in all 52 cases in which it was indicated. The inappropriate antimicrobial prescriptions were significantly less likely for bronchitis, influenza and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with or without symptomatic apical periodontitis compared to common cold/pharyngitis/rhinosinusitis, and when the antimicrobial prescription was provided by medical specialists compared to prison physicians, whereas antimicrobial overprescriptions without indications were significantly more frequent in patients with underlying chronic clinical conditions. Conclusions: A concerning widespread practice of inappropriate antimicrobial prescriptions in prisoners was found. Diagnoses-specific monitoring of antimicrobial use and prison-focused antimicrobial stewardship policies are strongly needed.

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Respiratory viruses

Revision Notes for MCEM Part A ◽

10.1093/med/9780199583836.003.0027 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 208-211

Author(s):

Dr Mark Harrison

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Common Cold ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

The Common ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Tract Infections

15.1 Rhinovirus, 209 15.2 Influenza, 210 15.3 Parainfluenza, 211 15.4 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 211 • There are more than 100 different serotypes of rhinovirus. • Rhinovirus is chiefly limited to upper respiratory tract infections and is the major cause of the common cold....

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Misconceptions and Malpractices Toward Antibiotic Use in Childhood Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Among a Cohort of Lebanese Parents

Evaluation & the Health Professions ◽

10.1177/0163278716686809 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 493-511 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ghada El Khoury ◽

Elsy Ramia ◽

Pascale Salameh

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Common Cold ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Pediatric Population ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging global health threat. Misuse and abuse of antibiotics are of particular concern in the pediatric population. Since management of childhood illnesses depends considerably on parents’ perceptions, the objectives of this study were to report parents’ perspectives and assess their practices toward antibiotics used for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children. Using a cross-sectional design, anonymous structured questionnaires were completed by 1,037 parents in public and private schools across Lebanon’s largest governorate. Descriptive statistics were used to report participants’ responses. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors affecting knowledge and malpractice related to antibiotic use. Significant misconceptions and malpractices were identified among parents. For instance, 33.9% of parents considered that antibiotics are helpful in treating common cold among children and 36.2% believed antibiotics expedite the recovery of their child with common cold infection. Moreover, there was a lack of knowledge concerning antibiotic coverage, since 37.9% of the respondents believed that antibiotics treat viral infections and 21.5% were neutral toward this question. Around 20% of the participants believed they can reduce the dose of antibiotics if the child gets better. Significant factors associated with poor knowledge and misuses were parents’ lower educational and socioeconomic levels. Despite extensive evidence on the limited role of antibiotics in URTIs, parents in Lebanon continue to misuse them. More concerted efforts are needed to improve parents’ knowledge and practices with regard to the rational use of antibiotics.

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A Survey of the Experience and Impact of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections on People in Six Countries in the 2011/2012 Common Cold and Flu Season

Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases ◽

10.4236/ojrd.2013.34026 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 03 (04) ◽

pp. 175-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

John David Hull ◽

Ian Paul Barton ◽

Jennifer Torgersen ◽

Christine Marie McNeil

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Common Cold ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

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Non-antibiotic treatments for upper-respiratory tract infections (common cold)

Respiratory Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.rmed.2005.09.039 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 99 (12) ◽

pp. 1477-1484 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

B. Arroll

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Common Cold ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

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Viral Upper Respiratory Infection

10.2310/tywc.4237 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

James Creswell Simpson ◽

Kristin H. Dwyer

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Common Cold ◽

The United States ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Viral Pathogens ◽

Upper Respiratory Infection ◽

Emergency Department Setting ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

The upper respiratory tract includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx, and is susceptible to a variety of pathogens including many viruses. Although other pathogens can also cause infections of the upper respiratory tract, we are focusing on viral illnesses for the purposes of this review. Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) include sinusitis, nasopharyngitis (common cold), pharyngitis, epiglottitis, and tracheitis. URI’s are one of the most frequent causes for visits to see a physician in the United States. Despite the fact that many URIs are caused by viral pathogens, more than half of patients in both the clinic and the emergency department setting with a diagnosis of URI received antibiotics. URIs are generally mild, and self-limited illnesses; however, it is important to recognize clinical entities that may be severe and warrant more extensive diagnostic workup and treatment such as epiglottitis and tracheitis. This review covers the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, disposition and outcome for multiple viral URIs seen commonly in the emergency department setting. This review contains 3 figures, 8 tables, and 87 references. Key words: Common cold, epiglottitis, nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, upper respiratory tract infection

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Colds, flu and coughing: a review of over-the-counter cold and flu medicines

South African Family Practice ◽

10.4102/safp.v60i3.4875 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 21-24

Author(s):

J. Van Schoor

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Common Cold ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Cold Treatment ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Symptomatic Therapy ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections

The common cold is the most frequent human illness, and may be caused by several families of viruses, particularly the more than 100 serotypes of rhinoviruses. Inaccurate perceptions that antibiotics improve patient outcomes fuel the number of doctor visits and requests for antibiotics. The inappropriate use of antibiotics for minor, self-limiting, usually viral, upper-respiratory tract infections does not alter the course of the disease, and adds to the burden of antibiotic resistance. In addition, there is also no evidence to suggest that antibiotics prevent secondary bacterial complications following viral upper-respiratory tract infections. While most over-the-counter cold and flu remedies have no proven efficacy, they appear to attenuate the immune response to the infecting virus, and there is little doubt that appropriate symptomatic treatment can make the patient feel better. Therefore, symptomatic therapy remains the mainstay of common cold treatment. This article briefly reviews the components of cold and flu remedies, and provides a symptom-based assessment for the selection of appropriate over-the-counter medicine.

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