A meta-analysis of 29 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of antibiotic treatment in 15,337 children and adults found that antibiotic treated patients were 70% less likely to have sore throat symptoms on day 3, and 50% less likely to have sore throat symptoms on day 7. The authors questioned whether it is clinically justifiable to treat sore throats with an antibiotic given the modest effect on symptoms and the potential risk of antibiotic resistance.