OBJECTIVE To determine the expected duration of symptoms of common respiratory tract infections in children in primary and emergency care. DESIGN Systematic review of existing literature to determine durations of symptoms of earache, sore throat, cough (including acute cough, bronchiolitis, and croup), and common cold in children. DATA SOURCES PubMed, DARE, and CINAHL (all to July 2012). ...

A randomized, double blind placebo controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of KalmCold, an extract of Andrographis paniculata, in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). The assessment involved quantification of symptom scores by Visual Analogue Scale. Nine self evaluated symptoms of cough, expectoration, nasal discharge, headache, fever, s...

BACKGROUND There are limited data about the longer-term outcomes in acute otitis media (AOM) when comparing the realistic alternatives of immediate prescription of antibiotics and a 'wait and see' or delayed prescribing policy. AIM The aim was to assess the medium and longer term outcomes of two prescribing strategies for otitis media. DESIGN OF STUDY Follow-up of a randomised controlled tr...

A total of 22 species of plants used by Irula community people are described based on ethnomedical field survey. These plants belong to 17 families and are used to treat a wide range of discomforts like cough, cold, body ache, earache, stomachache, headache, diarrhea, snake bite, rheumatism etc. the botanical names, followed by their local names have also been given.

BACKGROUND Many children in the United States lack health insurance. We tested the hypothesis that these children are less likely than children with insurance to visit a physician when they have specific conditions for which care is considered to be indicated. METHODS We examined the association between whether children were covered by health insurance and whether they received medical attent...

BACKGROUND Although the vast majority of respiratory tract symptoms are self-limiting, many patients visit their GP for these symptoms and antibiotics are over-prescribed. AIM To explore determinants of patients visiting GPs for recent cough, sore throat, or earache; for being prescribed antibiotics; and for patients' satisfaction with visiting the GP. DESIGN OF THE STUDY Second Dutch Natio...

Brain abscess is not a common diagnosis as there are only approximately 2000 cases reported each year in the United States. There are three main routes of access to the brain including contiguous infection from the oropharynx, direct implantation and hematogenously. We present a case of brain abscess in a child who had multiple visits for ear pain to various physicians including pediatricians a...

BACKGROUND GPs are often consulted for respiratory tract symptoms in children. AIM To explore characteristics of children, their parents, and their GPs that are correlated with consulting a GP for cough, sore throat, or earache. DESIGN OF STUDY Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice (DNSGP-2) with a health interview and an additional questionnaire. SETTING Children aged 0-17 yea...