Community-acquired Bacterial Respiratory Tract Infections: Consensus Recommendations.

COMMUNICABLE diseases; ANTI-infective agents; SIDE effects of antibiotics; INFECTION; MEDICAL care; PUBLIC health

The article presents information about the management of community-acquired respiratory tract infections (CARTls). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), for every 100 respiratory infections, only 20% require antibiotic treatment, the remaining 80 infections most likely have a viral origin. Thus, antibacterial therapy should be avoided unless a bacterial cause has been confirmed or is deemed likely. For management of patients who will not be hospitalized, the WHO and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America/Infectious Diseases Society of America offer the 3 Ds: administer the correct drug, at the right dose, and for the appropriate duration, to minimize development and spread of resistance. Treatment with an antibacterial agent will not be medically warranted in the majority of patients with a CARTI. The primary care clinician can reduce such expectations and prevent unnecessary reconsultations by briefly addressing four issues: the natural course of the viral illness, the lack of effectiveness of antibiotics, the problem of antibiotic resistance, and the side effects of antibiotics.