Publication:

Current scenario of suppurative head and neck infections in patients of tertiary care centre in COVID era

Background In the COVID era, when self treatment and social media treatment gained popularity, diagnosis of suppurative infections was delayed and rampant misuse of antibiotics significantly increased. Hence this study is necessary to enlighten the current trend of organisms causing suppurative head and neck infections and their presentation.

Methods Prospective observational study in 110 patients with suppurative head and neck infections who came to Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head And Neck Surgery of NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur within a period of 18 months ie from March 2020 to August 2021.After detailed clinical examination, under strict aseptic precautions, sample was collected and sent for investigations.

Results Of 110 patients, 75 were male and 35 were female, maximum in their fourth to fifth decade of life. Diabetes the most common risk factor. The commonest symptom of presentation was swelling, being maximum in submandibular area. Odontogenic the most common etiology. Submental and submandibular space infections presenting as Ludwig’s Angina is the commonest space infection. Prior antibiotic history before visit to our hospital seen in 61.8%, still only 22.8% were sterile.61.8% showed bacterial growth,10.9% fungal and 4.5% tubercular. Psuedomonas aeruginosa was most commonly isolated with site predilection to oral cavity followed by E. coli.

Conclusions Public education about head and neck infections, oral hygiene, non-communicable diseases should be implemented as step of primordial prevention. Culture specific antibiotic therapy for the correct amount of time should be mainstay of treatment. Prescription by a registered medical practitioner must be made mandatory for providing antibiotics to any layman to reduce the rampant overuse and misuse of antibiotics