Aspects of antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients

Abstract

The use of antibacterial preparations in patients with COVID-19 is controversial and requires the accumulation of convincing data to avoid excessive and unnecessary prescriptions. The clinical picture seems to be the first and most convincing option in making the decision to initiate antibiotic therapy, and laboratory data (leukocytosis, ESR, lymphopenia, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin) and radiological data can facilitate this decision through proper monitoring. Beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins), including protected ones, macrolides and fluoroquinolones can be considered as first-line preparations in hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. The duration of SARS CoV-2 infection between symptom onset and hospitalisation may be decisive for initiating antibacterial treatment in the context of noticing the onset of the cytokine storm, which will require the use of steroid anti-inflammatory drugs