US Adults Report Misrepresenting Symptoms to Obtain Antibiotics

A national survey published in JAMA Network Open reveals that approximately 28% of US adults have exaggerated or fabricated symptoms to obtain antibiotics for themselves or children in their care. The study, which included 959 respondents, found that cold-like symptoms were the most frequently misrepresented, followed by stomach issues and joint or muscle pain.

Common motivations for this behavior included feeling very ill or the perceived need to return to work or school. Among those who misrepresented symptoms, 76.9% reported successfully obtaining antibiotics at least once. Respondents indicated they learned how to misrepresent symptoms through personal experience, friends or family, clinicians, social media, and AI chatbots.

Researchers noted that inaccurate reporting can lead to inappropriate prescribing, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. The findings suggest an urgent need for improved communication strategies between clinicians and patients to ensure concerns are addressed appropriately without relying on unnecessary antibiotic use.