You always need to finish the full course prescribed: because SYMPTOMS have subsided doesn't actually mean the infection is gone. Just that the symptoms are.

What's driving you nuts about them? Certainly, they should be used only as needed, but if they're creating side effects for you, there are usually simple means of managing those.

so whenever you get antiobiotics, you need to take them as prescribed. don't stop early.

I understand about hating to take pills or medicine, though. Sometimes antibiotics can make you feel really icky. The thing is, while the "bad bacteria" is being killed (yay!), "good bacteria" in your body, the helpful bacteria, is also being attacked. This can make you feel out of balance for weeks after taking antibiotics while the "good bacteria" in your body is low.

Which is why, after you finish taking your antibiotics, you might want to consider taking "probiotics", a supplement of good bacteria. You can find probiotic supplements in your local health food store. Or you can just eat lots of yoghurt, which has lots of active bacteria and tastes great! Try eating it plain with some fruit, and don't get the low fat kind--get the real, superduper creamy kind with lots of active cultures.