PMID: 11933878Apr 6, 2002Paper

Steroid therapy of acute ENT infections: rarely indicated

Prescrire International

Abstract

(1) Apart from acute laryngitis in children, the use of steroids in acute ENT infections is not supported by clinical data. (2) A single dose of steroids (oral or intramuscular dexamethasone, 0.6 mg/kg) has only moderate efficacy in children with acute laryngitis, but it can hasten symptom relief. Available clinical data fail to show whether steroid therapy reduces the frequency of severe respiratory complications in this setting, or if it is helpful in minor cases. (3) There are no published data justifying the use of steroids as adjuvant treatment in other acute ENT infections, such as non allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and otitis. Two randomised trials have shown an analgesic effect of steroids in pharyngitis, but there are no published comparisons with standard analgesics such as paracetamol. (4) Severe complications appear to be rare with single-dose and short-term steroid therapy (for less than a week). However, there is a potential risk of rare but severe complications of chickenpox, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head. (5) Routine use of steroids for recurrent ENT infections has the same risks as long-term steroid therapy.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.