Over 25% of people lie to get antibiotics—and their lies aren't even good
Summary
Two studies based on an online survey found that more than one in four respondents had misrepresented symptoms to get antibiotics for themselves or a child. Most who reported lying said they received the prescription, even though many claimed symptoms associated with viral colds, which antibiotics do not treat.Key Facts
- Researchers led by Alistair Thorpe of the University of Utah analyzed 959 valid, complete survey responses from 1,371 online respondents.
- Among respondents, 268 people, or 28 percent, said they had misrepresented symptoms to get antibiotics for themselves.
- Of 263 respondents who identified as caregivers, 63, or 27 percent, said they had misrepresented a child's symptoms to get antibiotics.
- Among people who reported lying for themselves, 108 said they exaggerated symptoms, 19 said they made up symptoms, and 141 said they did both.
- Seventy-seven percent of adult patients and 87 percent of caregivers who reported lying said it led to an antibiotic prescription.
- The most common falsehoods involved cold-related symptoms; 65 percent of respondents who misrepresented symptoms reported doing this.
- Colds are caused by viruses, while antibiotics treat bacterial infections.
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