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| |  New Guidelines Issued: Antibiotics Not Needed For Most Respiratory Infections In Healthy Adults PHILADELPHIA, PA -- March 20, 2001 -- The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM) released new guidelines saying that antibiotics are not needed for most respiratory tract infections. For most healthy adults, the best treatment for bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis (sore throat) and non-specific upper respiratory tract infections are over-the-counter cold remedies and salt water gargles to relieve symptoms. The four guidelines, four background papers on upper respiratory tract infections and an introductory essay are in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the peer-reviewed journal published by ACP-ASIM. "ACP-ASIM is concerned about the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant diseases," says Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, the society's president. "Up to 75 percent of antibiotics prescribed each year are associated with treating upper respiratory tract infections. Unfortunately, most of these prescriptions are unnecessary. As a professional organization representing internists who treat the majority of adult patients, we decided that our best contribution to reducing overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics is to develop guidelines for the management of these common infections." The College's new guidelines are based on four background papers of principles for appropriate antibiotic use in upper respiratory tract infections developed by a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) panel with representatives from ACP-ASIM, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Some or all of the principles in the papers have been endorsed by the CDC, ACP-ASIM, AAFP and IDSA. "Patients should not think they are getting poor treatment if their doctors don't prescribe antibiotics," says Vincenza Snow, MD, senior medical associate at ACP-ASIM. "Most colds and other respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses, and antibiotics don't affect viruses. Try nasal sprays, decongestants, cough drops and gargles to relieve symptoms before you call the doctor." Snow notes that ACP-ASIM does not endorse any over-the-counter products or pharmaceuticals. "Finally, don't expect the symptoms to clear up right away," Dr. Snow says. "Colds usually last for up to two weeks." The guidelines are for healthy adults. They are not intended for people over age 65 or with other long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung problems, Dr. Snow says.
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