[Colds, sinusitis, bronchitis - respiratory infections in clinical practice]

Over 95 % of acute respiratory infections are viral. Antibiotics have no effect on the severity, complications or duration of symptoms; they promote the growth of resistant bacteria and harm the microbiome. Antibiotic-free treatment should therefore be the standard. We expect antibiotic-free treatment to become increasingly established as the norm, and the unnecessary medicalisation of self-limiting respiratory tract infections to continue to decline. Thanks to this cultural shift, consultations will soon take less time. Bacterial complications are more common if the respiratory tract infection has lasted for more than 5 days or worsens over time. CRP can help in deciding whether to prescribe antibiotics. Delayed antibiotics are just as effective for respiratory tract infections as immediate antibiotics. Effective symptom relief is essential: recovery is promoted if patients can actively contribute to their healing process (even without antibiotics).