Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for treatment of nonspecific upper respiratory tract infections in adults: Background (reprinted from Annalsof Internal Med, March 20, 2001)

The following principles of appropriate antibiotic use for adults with nons pecific upper respiratory tract infections apply to immunocompetent adults without complicating comorbid conditions, such as chronic lung or heart dis ease. 1. The diagnosis of nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection or acute rhinopharyngitis should be used to denote an acute infection that is typica lly viral in origin and in which sinus, pharyngeal, and lower airway sympto ms, although frequently present, are not prominent. 2. Antibiotic treatment of adults with nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection does not enhance illness resolution and is not recommended. Studi es specifically testing the impact of antibiotic treatment on complications of nonspecific upper respiratory tract infections have not been performed in adults. life-threatening complications of upper respiratory tract infect ion are rare. 3. Purulent secretions from the nares or throat (commonly observed in patie nts with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection) predict neither b acterial infection nor benefit from antibiotic treatment.