[Acute infectious disease of otolaryngology focus]

Infections are the most common cause of antibiotic prescription and one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in Primary Care. Among them, stand out acute media otitis and diffuse external otitis, acute pharyngitis and acute rhinosinusitis. Commonly they are viral and self-limited, so their complications are rare. Currently, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics have leaded to bacterial resistances; therefore antibiotic prescription should be more careful. Nowadays, several diagnostic strategies are available. In current updated etiological and pathophysiological factors of each infection, diagnostic and therapeutic strategy to be applied in Primary Care as well as the complications of each pathology and the referral indications to be assessed by specialists in the ENT area, will be reviewed.