La Revue du praticien
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The antibiotic therapy in septic syndrome is most often empiric. Decisions and antibiotic choices should result from a careful analysis of past history and setting (hospital-acquired infections vs community acquired infections), risk factors specific to the host, and characteristics of the suspected infections focus: direct examination of body fluid specimens should be obtained rapidly to guide the empiric choice. ⋯ Changes in pharmacokinetics of drugs are usual in this context, and frequent dosing is necessary. While effective antibiotic therapy is a recognized prognostic parameter, antibiotics are only one part of therapy, besides supportive therapy of failing organs, and effective drainage or surgery of the infected focus, when feasible.