[German S2k guideline on antibiotic therapy of ENT infections : The most important information in brief].

Antibiotics save lives, but their long-term side effects are often underestimated. To prevent side effects and maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics, uncomplicated infections should be treated as narrowly as possible, while life-threatening infections should be treated as broadly as necessary. Acute upper respiratory tract infections should only be treated with antibiotics if there is a clear bacterial cause and the infection is severe. Penicillin V is the first-line treatment for tonsillopharyngitis, amoxicillin for acute otitis media (AOM) and acute rhinosinusitis (ARS), and a group 1 cephalosporin for furuncles and skin phlegmons. For severe infections with possible involvement of anaerobic bacteria (abscesses of the mouth and throat, oto- and sinogenic complications), aminopenicillin-beta-lactamase combination therapy is the first choice. Fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins (except group 1), clindamycin, and carbapenems should only be used in well-founded exceptional cases.