Practical Antibiotic Stewardship Guide for Indian Clinicians 1. Before Prescribing Confirm bacterial vs likely viral illness; avoid antibiotics for uncomplicated viral URTI, bronchitis, viral diarrhoea. Take cultures before first dose whenever feasible (blood, urine, sputum, pus, CSF, etc.). Do not delay antibiotics in sepsis. Check: recent hospitalisation, prior antibiotic use (last 3 months), comorbidities (CKD, CLD, diabetes, immunosuppression), and local antibiogram. 2. Core Prescribing Rules (4R + De-escalation)