Antibiotics Not Associated with Shorter Duration or Reduced Severity of Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38619737/ Prescribed antibiotics did not reduce the duration and severity of coughing in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections, a new AHRQ-funded study has found. The study, published in Journal of General Internal Medicine, analyzed data from more than 700 adult patients across primary and urgent care facilities in the United States. Researchers found that 29 percent of patients with cough and lower respiratory tract infection symptoms were prescribed antibiotics, but antibiotic provision did not affect cough duration or overall severity, regardless of viral, bacterial or mixed infections. Researchers concluded that patients had unrealistic expectations regarding the duration of lower respiratory tract infection and the effect of antibiotics, which should be the target of antibiotic stewardship efforts.