Randomization and masking
INFECTION SITES
All patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into a high initial dose group or a low initial dose group according to age and infection sites in a randomized block design; the randomization was computer-generated, and the block size was set at 6. If a subject was considered eligible for enrollment, we queried the random information corresponding to the group number: the letter “A” for a high initial dose and the letter “B” for a low initial dose. Thus, the subjects were randomized equally into two groups. Participants and doctors were not blinded to the randomization, and the primary outcome was decided by two researchers who were unaware of the treatment arm.