HIGH RATE OF PRESCRIPTION OF ANTIBIOTICS IN TREATMENT OF UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION (URTI)

Abstract

Upper respiratory tract infections are largely viral and hence, self limiting in nature.  However, majority of these patients are prescribed antibiotics, which is very unscientific and unethical. We carried out this multi-center study to assess the magnitude of this problem in our primary care clinics. Our study revealed an alarming 88.9% rate of antibiotic prescription for these self-limited infections This calls for immediate attention as such high rate of antibiotic prescription is associated with emergence of resistant strains, undue burden on economy  and other adverse effects.