Why shorter antibiotic courses may be enough
New research suggests that shorter courses of antibiotics may be just as effective as traditional longer regimens for certain infections. Experts note that public perception often lags behind these medical advancements, leading to unnecessary medication use.
Why it matters
Updating public understanding of antibiotic use is critical to combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient care outcomes.
For years, the message was simple: if you start antibiotics, finish the course.
But a new online survey study of 1,475 U.S. adults suggests that message may have left many people with an outdated idea of what an appropriate antibiotic course actually looks like.
The study, led by Alistair Thorpe, PhD, a research assistant professor in population health sciences at the University of Utah , examined how U.S. adults view antibiotic treatment durations and adherence.
According to the research, 60 per cent of respondents preferred antibiotic courses lasting seven days or longer, while 88 per cent said they had heard and agreed with the familiar message to “always finish your antibiotics.”
The findings point to a disconnect between public perceptions and the way antibiotic treatment is evolving.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in