On the inappropriateness of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated forms of acute respiratory viral infection in children

Abstract

As you know, antibiotics do not affect viruses, but it is not possible to completely avoid the use of antibiotics in ARVI. So, they are indicated in the event of bacterial complications (pneumonia, otitis media, etc.). Literature data on the use of antibiotics for uncomplicated bacterial infection forms of ARVI are contradictory. There are recommendations to prescribe antibiotics and other antibacterial drugs in order to prevent the activation of opportunistic microflora or the prevention of superinfection in a hospital setting. At the same time, antibiotics are far from indifferent to the child. They can have a direct toxic, sensitizing effect, delay the development of immunological reactivity. No less significant is the fact that with the frequent use of antibiotics, microorganisms become resistant to them.