Why is completing an antibiotic course important?

Completing an antibiotic course is important to ensure all bacteria are killed and to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are drugs that are designed to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria causing an infection. When you start an antibiotic course, the drug begins to attack the harmful bacteria. However, not all bacteria are killed instantly. Some may take longer to die, and if you stop taking the antibiotic too soon, these bacteria can survive and continue to multiply. This is why it's crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better before the course is finished.

Moreover, not completing the antibiotic course can contribute to a major global health problem known as antibiotic resistance. This occurs when bacteria evolve in response to the use of these medicines and develop the ability to withstand the drug's attack. When you don't finish your antibiotic course, the strongest bacteria that can resist the antibiotic are the ones most likely to survive and multiply. This can lead to the development of 'superbugs' that are resistant to many different types of antibiotics.

In addition, when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, the antibiotics become less effective over time. This means that infections caused by resistant bacteria are harder to treat, often requiring higher doses of medicine or stronger antibiotics. In some cases, the bacteria may become so strong that no antibiotics are effective against them.

Therefore, it's not just about your health, but also about the health of the wider community. By completing your antibiotic course, you're helping to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This is why doctors always emphasise the importance of taking your antibiotics exactly as prescribed and finishing the entire course.