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Antibiotics for common respiratory tract infections in adults

J V Hirschmann1

  • 1Medical Service (111), Puget Sound Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. pepsi@u.washington.edu

Archives of Internal Medicine
|February 28, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotics offer little benefit for common respiratory illnesses like acute bronchitis and sinusitis. Healthcare providers should educate patients on risks and alternative treatments instead of prescribing unnecessary antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • General Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for acute respiratory conditions.
  • Evidence suggests limited efficacy of antibiotics in many common infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on antibiotic use for acute respiratory conditions.
  • To inform clinical practice regarding appropriate antibiotic prescribing.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive review of published scientific literature.
  • Analysis of studies on antibiotic efficacy and adverse effects.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotics rarely benefit acute bronchitis, asthma exacerbations, chronic bronchitis exacerbations, acute pharyngitis, and acute sinusitis.
  • These conditions often resolve with other treatments and have numerous adverse effects from antibiotics.

Conclusions:

  • Prescribing antibiotics for these conditions is often inappropriate.
  • Clinician-patient communication about risks, benefits, and alternative treatments is crucial for acceptance of a non-antibiotic approach.

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