Do Your Patients Really Need an Antibiotic for These Infections?

Three types of viral infections that physicians may be inclined to treat with antibiotics are sinusitis, bronchitis, and mononucleosis. Many experts have recommended that a patient start antibiotics after a week of viral infection, but some clinical studies now show that those infections typically resolve themselves over time with conservative management.

In light of concerns over growing antibiotic resistance, many physicians feel that allowing the infection to run its course without antibiotics is sometimes preferable and safer in the long-run. Alternative therapies like a saline rinse for sinusitis, or vitamin supplements and herbal remedies for mononucleosis may be better alternatives to antibiotic therapy.

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