Survey reveals most U.S. adults believe longer is better and that always finishing antibiotics is best
THURSDAY, Aug. 20, 2026 (HealthDay News) — U.S. adults hold outdated beliefs on antibiotics, according to a study published online July 21 in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.
Alistair Thorpe, Ph.D., from the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and colleagues surveyed 1,475 U.S. adults (March to April 2024) about antibiotic therapy durations and adherence.
The researchers found that 60 percent of respondents reported preferring longer antibiotic courses (seven or more days versus three to five) and 88 percent believed always finishing an antibiotic course is important.
“Evidence is growing and guidance is evolving on antibiotic use, which is a normal process and a good sign that we are working to improve how we provide care,” Thorpe said in a statement. “Our knowledge about how best to use antibiotics has changed, but it has changed because we’re learning more, and it’s important that we make sure we are communicating this well to the public.”
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