Key Practice Recommendations

These key learning points summarize the consensus- and evidence-based recommendations included in this edition. The sources listed here for each statement recommend that physicians perform or implement these actions directly in a clinical setting. A = consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence; B = inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence; C = consensus, disease-oriented evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series. For information about the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) evidence rating system, go to https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0201/p548.

1. Withhold antibiotics for upper and lower respiratory tract infections unless a bacterial cause is confirmed.
Evidence rating: SORT A
Source: Section One, reference 54

2. Recommend that all individuals 6 months and older receive an annual influenza vaccination unless contraindicated.
Evidence rating: SORT B
Source: Section Two, reference 38

3. Use oseltamivir, zanamivir (Relenza), or baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) for influenza postexposure prophylaxis in exposed patients at high risk of influenza complications, especially when vaccines are insufficient or unavailable during outbreaks in institutions.
Evidence rating: SORT B
Source: Section Two, references 49, 50

4. For outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression, treat with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) started within 5 days of early symptom onset.
Evidence rating: SORT B
Source: Section Three, references 43 and 44

5. Administer a single intramuscular injection of nirsevimab (Beyfortus) for infants younger than 8 months who were born during or entering their first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season, except for those whose mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy during the current RSV season.
Evidence rating: SORT A
Sources: Section Four, reference 14