We, in this country, use too many antibiotics. When do antibiotics become necessary?

When used to treat serious bacterial infections, antibiotics are very effective, but when they are used to treat other ailments such as a sore throat or ear infection, there are risks and the benefits are negligible. The poor effects of antibiotic treatment in these instances is because the majority of cases are caused by a virus. Possible digestive problems, allergic reactions, and liver toxicity are the potential antibiotic side effects. There is research that indicates that frequent use of antibiotics could make it more likely that a person will develop certain kinds of cancer, especially breast cancer. And then there is the problem of antibiotic resistance. What’s worse is that some doctors prescribe unnecessary antibiotics when a patient has a virus.

This brings up an important point. When is there a need for antibiotics? Antibiotics are effective when they are fighting an infection due to bacteria and not a virus. Here are some conditions that don’t require antibiotics.

The Common Cold or The Sniffles

People run to their physician at the first symptoms of a cold or the sniffles. An antibiotic not only can’t treat a cold, but it will also kill the good bacteria in the intestines which help keep the immune system healthy so it can fight infection. And one may also experience an unpleasant case of diarrhea. It is unfortunate that there is not currently any remedy for the common cold. Even though its effectiveness has not been confirmed, utilizing a natural herbal remedy like Echinacea is far safer.

Most Sore Throats

Not every sore throat is Strep. The majority of sore throats are viral in nature and will eventually resolve on their own. If there is a question, your physician can conduct a quick strep test in his office to determine if you need an antibiotic. It’s healthier to avoid antibiotics unless it is proven that you have Strep throat.
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