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Antimicrobial resistance will probably be the most serious infectious disease problem in the coming decades. Previous studies have all linked rising resistance rates to increasing — and often unnecessary — antibiotic prescribing. To help determine what is necessary, investigators representing 14 primary care research networks in 13 European countries prospectively examined variations in antibiotic prescribing for acute cough and the effect of these medications on recovery.
In all, 3402 adults with a new or worsening cough, or a clinical presentation suggesting a lower respiratory infection, during the months of October–November 2006 or January–March 2007 were enrolled. Standardized case-report forms and patient diaries were used to record, t…