Personally I don't take anything unless I really have to!
I think part of the problem is that doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics when they don't need to; I know some people that almost demand them for a cold, where they would be ineffective - in this type of case some re-education would go a long way.
I would also be wary on telling people not to take the full course - this should be determined by the GP as surely it would depend on the person and their overall heath? I mean, it could have a much greater effect on vulnerable elderly person than on me, an otherwise healthy 30 year old.
Do you think the age of antibacterial wipes / soap / detergent may also contribute? Back in the day a good old bar of soap and a bit of fairy always did the job!
At the moment I am working on a few academic trials which are looking at alternatives to antibiotics; currently awaiting results from a trial looking at Gentamicin in the treatment of Gonorrhoea (G-TOG) ...
Yeah, people need to listen to doctors sure, but they need to think for themselves and not simply trust what someone else says. People die from blindly trusting those they think are trustworthy and know what they are doing. How many doctors don't know a damn thing about nutrition for solving issues like diabetes? Thanks for the feedback. Good luck in your trials.