Acute upper respiratory tract infections - outpatient diagnosis and

treatment
Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is one of the most frequent diseases
observed at centers for pediatric care, and results in significant morbidity worldwide.
URTI is the most common cause in children treated against acute respiratory infection.
The difficulty found by clinicians in establishing the differential and etiologic diagnosis of
URTI and the occasionally indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs justify the inclusion
of this article. Basic elements that help to improve diagnosis and treatment, based on
up-to-date literature data, whenever possible, are presented. Acute rhinopharyngitis,
acute sinusitis, acute streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis and acute viral laryngitis was
discussed as well.
Given the fact that URTI is one of the most common reasons for appointments
with pediatricians, it is important that such professional use up-to-date concepts and
diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in clinical practice. In the era of evidence-based
medicine, healthcare providers should be continually encouraged to gain scientific
information from reliable sources. The issue of a supplement as the current one may
help disseminate this type of knowledge. Therefore, as far as URTI is concerned, the
lesser indication of dispensable diagnostic exams and unnecessary treatments could
benefit a significant number of children with these common respiratory infections.