title: How French general practitioners manage and prevent recurrent respiratory tract infections in children: the SOURIRRE survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are the most common reason for children's visits to primary care physicians in France; however, little is known about general practitioners' (GPs) opinions and expectations concerning the management and prevention of these common and recurrent pathologies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe French GPs' daily practice in the management of respiratory infections and the prevention of their recurrence in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample group of French GPs answered a structured questionnaire on risk factors, RRTI management, antibiotic use and prevention measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 358 GPs participated in the survey. Rhinopharyngitis, the most frequent respiratory infection, was considered to be recurrent if six or more episodes occurred in a year. Four risk factors were acknowledged as substantial: living in communities, passive smoking, pollution and allergies. Around 63% of GPs said that RRTIs are too often treated with antibiotics. More than 85% thought that prevention of RRTIs is possible. Smoking cessation, vaccination, allergen avoidance and hygiene were identified as the main preventive measures. A large majority of GPs (84%) prescribed products for prevention and ~90% would prescribe a product stimulating immunity if the efficacy and tolerability of these agents was proven and confirmed in their daily practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  French GPs are well aware of the health and socioeconomic burdens resulting from RRTIs, as well as the risk of antibiotic overuse. They have a prevention-oriented approach, implement preventive measures when possible and prescribe products for prevention.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Toulouse Rangueil, Toulouse.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chicoulaa
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Emergency and Infectious Disease Departments, Lenval University Hospital, Nice.
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viala
authors.affiliation: Sports and General Medicine Practice, Labruguière.
authors.forename: Maryline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvetat
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department, Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Olives
keywords: disease management; epidemiology; general practice; immunity; therapeutics