Antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis, which are often caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics, are still commonly given to adults who visit EDs for care, said John W. Baddley, MD, MSPH, department of medicine, division of infectious diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham. “The widespread use of antibiotics to treat minor ARTIs may lead to increased bacterial antibiotic resistance. Other consequences include antibiotic-associated diarrhea, allergic reactions, and increased cost of care,” Dr Baddley told FormularyWatch.
Antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis, which are often caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics, are still commonly given to adults who visit EDs for care, said John W. Baddley, MD, MSPH, department of medicine, division of infectious diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham. “The widespread use of antibiotics to treat minor ARTIs may lead to increased bacterial antibiotic resistance. Other consequences include antibiotic-associated diarrhea, allergic reactions, and increased cost of care,” Dr Baddley told FormularyWatch.