Interní Med. 2009; 11(9): 376-379 [Med. Pro Praxi 2009; 6(1): 34-37]

Antibiotic therapy of respiratory infections

MUDr. Václava Bártů

Pneumologická klinika, Fakultní Thomayerova nemocnice a 1. lékařská fakulta UK, Praha

Upper and low respiratory tract infections belong among the most frequent diseases of childhood and adults. Although many of them are

of viral aetiology, they are treated by antibiotics. But it is necessary the use of antibiotics reserves for bacterial infections. Knowledge of

local bacteriological situation of workplace, local drug resistance, national and international recommendations for therapy of respiratory

diseases play important role in the choice of the optimal antibiotic drug. The basis requirement for select drug is its efficiency, safety

and quality in the clinical practice which leads to the suppression of the bacterial infection. The initial empiric therapy can be changed

in the case if the bacterial origin of the disease is documented into the rational therapy based on the drug sensitivity tests. Increasing

use of antibiotics is directly followed by increasing bacterial resistance. Unsubstantiated antibiotic therapy in the bad-founded cases

makes the situation wrong and it leads to the decreasing antibiotic efficiency. This strategy increases costs of the effective treatment

of respiratory infections. Detailed knowledge of effective spectrum, mechanism of drug penetration into the infection place, local epidemiological

situation form the basis presumptions for the optimal antibiotic choice. National and international standards provide the

specific recommendations for therapy of respiratory infections.

Keywords: antibiotics, respiratory infections, clinical efficiency, resistance.

Published: October 1, 2009  Show citation