When I’ve taken antibiotics during my lifetime, I’ve always followed instructions on the label which says to use all medication. I’ve been reading the course guide book for a lecture series from The Great Courses called How We Fail, How We Heal by Professor Anthony A. Goodman (Montana State University). In a chapter on infections he says there is a concern in the medical community that people are stopping short of taking all the medication because they feel so good after a few days and often self-treat colds and flu with the excess medication.
Professor Goodman points out that antibiotics are useless against colds and flu. Using leftover antibiotics can diminish beneficial flora, promote resistance, and lead to allergies. Now I know the science behind the directive to take all the medication.