Can we treat children with acute and chronic respiratory tract infections without using antibiotics

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are classified as upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) or lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs). The upper respiratory tract consists of the airways from the nostrils to the vocal cords in the larynx, including the paranasal sinuses and the middle ear. For the treatment of sinusitis and tonsillitis, the treatment done in Western Medicine constantly consists in antibiotics use. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the pathophysiology of these kind of infections are linked to invasion of external pathogenic factors (Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness or Dryness). Purpose: To demonstrate that is possible to treat children with acute respiratory tract infections without using antibiotics. Methods: Two case reports. Two children who had constant tonsillitis and sinusitis, and had done several antibiotics treatments during years, but the symptoms would only disappear during the antibiotic treatment and return after the withdrawn of the antibiotic drugs. The parents searched for treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine, and received Chinese dietary counseling, as well as advisement to protect themselves of the external pathogenic factors, such as not walk barefoot or sleep with the hair wet. They were also submitted to auricular acupuncture, apex ear bloodletting and homeopathy use. No antibiotics were required in any time of the treatment. Results: Both patients never had recurrence of the upper respiratory tract infections with this treatment. Conclusion: It is possible to treat children with acute respiratory tract infections without the use of antibiotics. To achieve this aim, it is important to treat the patient as whole, understanding that the symptoms could be caused by the invasion of external pathogenic factors, and proper orientation for prevent this invasion is important for the recovery of the patient.