• The study found that 29% of the LRTI patients enrolled in the study were prescribed at least one of these antibiotics - amoxicillin-clavulanate, azithromycin, doxycycline, and amoxicillin.

• These patients on antibiotics were likely to be further along in their illness, had a more severe illness, and were more likely to receive systemic corticosteroids and albuterol inhalers.

• Patients with viral and bacterial infections on antibiotics had coughs for significantly longer duration. 

• The study revealed that physicians probably overestimate the percentage of LRTI infections that are bacterial and overestimate their ability to distinguish bacterial from viral LRTI.

• The prescription of antibiotics for LRTIs may be reduced even further. 

• Educating patients about how long the symptoms of LRTI typically last, could avoid requests for antibiotics. 

• Further research is required to determine the role of antibiotics in patients with a cough.

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