For decades, patients were told to finish a long course of antibiotics no matter what. A growing body of evidence now shows that for many common infections, shorter courses work just as well.
Community-acquired pneumonia can often be treated in about five days. Uncomplicated pyelonephritis, many intra-abdominal infections, and cellulitis have all been managed successfully with abbreviated regimens in randomized trials.
Shorter is not just as good — it is frequently better. Less antibiotic exposure means fewer side effects, less disruption of the microbiome, less C. difficile, and less selective pressure driving resistance.
The 'shorter is better' movement asks clinicians to treat duration as an active decision rather than a default. For most infections, the question worth asking is not how long we can treat, but how briefly.