| Clinical criteria that assist in the diagnosis of acute otitis media include the abrupt onset of signs and symptoms, the presence of middle ear effusion, and signs or symptoms of middle ear inflammation. | C | 6 |
| A period of observation is appropriate for select children with acute otitis media and nonsevere symptoms. | C | 6 |
| A diagnosis of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis should be considered in patients with symptoms of a viral upper respiratory infection that have not improved after 10 days or that worsen after five to seven days. | C | 7 |
| Treatment of sinus infection with antibiotics in the first week of symptoms is not recommended. | C | 7 |
| Amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) should not be used for the treatment of influenza because of widespread resistance. | A | 23 |
| Acute bronchitis in otherwise healthy adults should not be treated with antibiotics. | A | 14 |
| Telling patients not to fill an antibiotic prescription unless symptoms worsen or fail to improve after several days can reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics. | B | 24,25 |