What is the main goal of antibiotic therapy?

The primary goal of antibiotic therapy is to eradicate the infecting organisms causing an infection. This is crucial in order to restore the patient's health and prevent complications that can arise from untreated infections. Antibiotics work by targeting and killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth, allowing the body's immune system to eliminate the remaining pathogens. The effective resolution of an infection can lead to the alleviation of symptoms and reduction of morbidity associated with the illness.

While managing symptoms, minimizing the risk of resistance, and striving for a treatment approach that avoids adverse effects are important considerations during antibiotic therapy, they are not the primary aim. The ultimate objective remains the complete eradication of the pathogens responsible for the infection to ensure the patient's recovery and to avoid potential complications such as sepsis or the spread of infection to other tissues or individuals.