Antibiotics are an important part of our pharmacopeia. They tackle infections that could have killed us prior to their discovery. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to be overused and that’s dangerous.
Viruses: An antibiotic will not kill a virus. They won’t cure your cold, get you over the flu faster or stop a stomach bug. Many times, sick patients feel that they should receive a prescription for one anyway, but that’s a really bad idea.
Minor Infections: Your body can throw off most minor infections without the need for a prescription. More and more doctors are waiting to see if a patient’s immune system will take care of such minor problems before breaking out the prescription pad. It’s always better for the patient if they can fight the bacteria without intervention.
Resistance: This is one of two reasons we need to rethink our attitude towards antibiotics. Many common bacteria are now resisting antibiotics. This is the first stage, and during this part of the problem, you may still find that normal antibiotics will work. It will take longer and there’s also a good chance more powerful drugs will have to be called upon.
Superbugs: These bacteria may answer to no one and no antibiotic. These bugs can kill quickly and are becoming more prevalent. Scientists are searching for stronger medicine for them, but when these bugs strike, your life is in serious jeopardy.
Alternative Remedies: There are a lot of things you can do that don’t require a prescription. Garlic tablets may help with minor infections and possibly some viruses. Steam treatments can help get rid of congestion. Honey and lemon can be an effective cough syrup and even ease a sore throat. None of these will increase your risk of antibiotic resistance. If your doctor approves, these may be a much better choice than an antibiotic.
When the need is Real: There are still times when you’ll need a regular antibiotic. Some infections, even if they aren’t life threatening, can become so. This is especially true when the patient has an underlying medical condition such as asthma.
It’s time to let the doctors decide when an antibiotic is a good idea and when it isn’t. This applies to parents of sick kids and to adults who just want to get well faster. If we don’t, we may end up back where we were before Fleming discovered penicillin.