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Antibiotics are ineffective in treating patients with persistent coughs caused by mild chest infections, the Lancet journal reports.
About 2,000 patients across 12 European countries filled in an 'illness' diary.
The study found that the severity and duration of symptoms in patients treated with antibiotics were no different to those given a placebo.
But experts caution that if pneumonia is suspected, antibiotics should still be used due to the disease's severity.
Paul Little from the University of Southampton, who led the research, said: "Using the antibiotic amoxicillin to treat respiratory infections in patients not suspected of having pneumonia is not likely to help and could be harmful.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20767470
About 2,000 patients across 12 European countries filled in an 'illness' diary.
The study found that the severity and duration of symptoms in patients treated with antibiotics were no different to those given a placebo.
But experts caution that if pneumonia is suspected, antibiotics should still be used due to the disease's severity.
Paul Little from the University of Southampton, who led the research, said: "Using the antibiotic amoxicillin to treat respiratory infections in patients not suspected of having pneumonia is not likely to help and could be harmful.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20767470