it falls on the health care provider to prescribe only when needed. the health care provider does have to take many factors into consideration including the severity and duration of illness findings on physical exam and the most likely diagnosis. if it's an upper respiratory infection it's not always obvious whether (the illness) is viral or bacterial but the vast majority of time it's viral. if the patient still wants an antibiotic the most important approach is for a health care provider is to validate the patient's concerns. the provider can then discuss why they don't need an antibiotic and tell them that just because they don't need an antibiotic doesn't mean they aren't sick. the provider can also suggest an over-the-counter product or other medicine to treat symptoms.
what should a health care provider do if a patient or parent insists on antibiotics even if it won’t treat the illness?