Antibacterial therapy for ENT diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

In the structure of the pathology of the respiratory tract, including the ENT organs, the leading position is occupied by infectious and inflammatory diseases. Acute respiratory infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract account for 80-97% of all infectious diseases and in 20-30% of cases are the reason for patients of different ages to visit medical institutions. The primary cause of the development of inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs is most often viral agents, however, against the background of any viral infection, bacterial pathogens can be activated, which in some cases requires the appointment of appropriate systemic etiotropic therapy. An irrational approach to the choice of an antibacterial drug for the treatment of patients with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract leads to the growth and spread of antibiotic resistance, which today is a global health problem around the world. The emergence and significant expansion of a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 in the human population, the principles of treatment for which have not yet been clearly defined, entails frequent unjustified prescription of antibiotics, especially in mild cases of the disease, which also makes a certain contribution to the progression of resistance of microorganisms to drugs. Treatment of patients with respiratory infectious and inflammatory diseases, including etiotropic treatment, especially in the context of a pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, should comply with the clinical guidelines developed by the relevant national professional associations. Having an idea of the most probable bacterial pathogens of infectious diseases of the respiratory system, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and others, as well as considering their main protective factors, the professional medical community, including the National Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, recommend amoxicillin as the drug of choice for the treatment of patients with inflammatory and infectious diseases of the respiratory tract. If patients have risk factors for infection with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, treatment is started with amoxicillin/clavulanate.

respiratory tract infections, upper respiratory tract, antibiotic resistance, new coronavirus, pandemic, amoxicillin, risk factors for antibiotic resistance, amoxicillin/clavulanate