Hot of the press: using a time series model, researchers from the University of Iowa report that respiratory fluoroquinolone use is highly seasonal and that fluoroquinolone use is strongly associated with influenza.
The use of respiratory quinolones during influenza season may reflect the clinical challenge of differentiating, at least on initial presentation, between viral and atypical bacterial pneumonias. Quinolones may also be correctly prescribed for secondary bacterial infections following influenza.
Perhaps, more cynically, they are used for their 'anti-viral' effect.
