One drawback of the study is that the authors weren't able to tell if some doctors used delayed antibiotic prescribing strategies. About 60 per cent of antibiotics prescribed in primary care in the U.K. are for respiratory tract infections. Most respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses. "Our paper should reassure GPs and patients that rare bacterial complications of respiratory infections are indeed rare. GP offices with lower rates of antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections did not have higher rates of serious bacterial complications, including:Meningitis.

Source: CBC News July 04, 2016 23:01 UTC