Feb 01 2009
YOU can prevent antibiotic resistance
While antibiotics save our lives, overuse of antibiotics in the past has resulted in some bacteria that are now resistant to almost every form of antibiotics available.
The bacteria responsible for tuberculosis is resistant to rifampicin which was the drug of choice few years back. Treatment of acne with tetracyclines has failed since past few years. This is because the bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics.
It was a routine practice to hand over antibiotics to treat ear infections or flu symptoms some years back. But now, it’s better to adopt a wait and watch policy. Doctors usually don’t prescribe antibiotics initially and focus more on improving the immunity and nutrition of the individual. Antibiotics are prescribed only if the symptoms don’t subside.
This approach annoys some patients because they have to go back to the doctor if the symptoms don’t improve. But remember, we have already created strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics that are proving a big challenge to fight. A little inconvenience now might save us in the future.
Here’s what you can do:
1) Avoid taking antibiotics on your own. The continued use of antibiotics has allowed bacteria to change, adapt and become harder to destroy. Some infections may be viral, antibiotics wont help in such situations.
2) Doctors usually prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics (which help against a variety of bacteria and are not specific). They ask you to come back if your symptoms don’t subside. Follow the instructions and never switch to another antibiotic without prescription.
3) Always take the full course of the antibiotic. Usually antibiotics should be taken for 5-7 days but always follow the instructions given by your doctor. Even if you get better before the completion of your course, you must continue the treatment. If antibiotic treatment is stopped before the prescribed date, the most resistant bacteria might survive and spread.
4) Don’t save any antibiotics for the next time you get sick. Discard any left over medication once you have completed your prescribed course of treatment.
5) Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for your illness.
6) If your doctor tells you that you don’t need an antibiotic, don’t demand for one.
Excellent information..taking medicines without prescriptions is a very harmful habit and most pharmacies need to be more strict in this matter..
very true - most people think any type of antibiotics is god and can be taken anytime when they r sick..this is indeed a harmful habit n must ppl must be refrained from doing so.
http://healthnbeauty.today.com/
This is definitely very important information. Most of the time when I went to the doctor for one complaint or another, I’d be given an antibiotic. As I’ve gotten older and realized that there are some sicknesses/illnesses that just take time and rest to get over, I’ve stopped taking them as much as possible.
It really is scary how many illnesses are becoming resistant to current drugs.
Great suggestions. I was on a suppression therapy dam for 18 months and it was rather concerning.
Thank you so much for advertising Recovery Rocks! on your blog in February. I appreciate your support.
Roxie
Recovery Rocks!
http://recoveryrocks.today.com/
I know that Green Lasagna suggested Garlic. Are there herb and foods that you would recommend to eat while you wait to see if you need the Antibiotics.
I’m really trying to get into treating my body like a well oild machine, using herbs, vegetables, and legumes to combat things.
Back in Malaysia, antibiotics were prescribed as often as aspirin. And many people who actually need the antibiotics don’t take the full treatment, because they feel better after a few days. *sigh* I think things are starting to be better doctor-wise, but how to change the mindset of almost the entire population?
I, too, had a question about antibiotics and their uses/effectiveness. I have been told that if one is on birth control, they cannot/should not take antibiotics. Is this fact or fiction? What are the alternatives?
Antibiotics should be used sparingly. I actually think that if the system is already depleted and the system is not built up with vitamins and antioxidants while taking them - they may cause other conditions to occur because the antibiotic depleplets the system further.
Thanks for your selection of me to advertise on your site. I’m excited about it and will make sure that I offer helth related blogs on those days.
Karen
http://gardendiva.today.com/
Great post. It’s very frightening to hear about the super strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Once again, we’ve taken a good thing and abused it.
Sometimes I didn’t follow through with #3. Thanks.
Good advice
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics before they do a culture and sensitivity.
Dear Dr., You’ve been tagged at my site!
When my 3 year old got sick, he was prescribed antibiotic and got well, the following week got sick again and prescribed another antibiotic!! Why?? i have no clue!! wasn’t he suppose to get well since the antibiotics still running in his system…
I think that would be the worst senario for any mom
Great info Dr.
@Green Lasagna: That’s great.
@RecoveryRocks: No problem.
@Cmaher: Sure, herbs are useful.
Here are a few examples:
#1 Anise seeds and cardamom to aid digestion.
#2 Cinnamon for upset stomach.
#3 Cloves for sore gums and toothache.
I’ll do a full article on this in the coming week.
@Lynne: I agree. That’s the point of this article! It’s about spreading awareness. Various hospitals should have campaigns for spreading awareness.
@Jennifer L Price: Research has shown some antibiotics to affect the efficacy of OCPs especially rimapicin (for tuberculosis).
Most antibiotics do not increase the failure rate of OCPs. It’s best to use a barrier method during intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
@Kyellis: True. Your welcome.
@Alzheimerideas: Yes. Giving antibiotics before doing C & S will obviously alter the result. So, we should do a C & S first and then start the patient on antibiotics (if necessary - mainly broad-spectrum) and if patient is still symptomatic, switch to specific antibiotics based on the C & S report.
@Dania: Was the same antibiotic prescribed the 2nd time? And was he prescribed any other drug besides antibiotics? Some infections are viral. Giving an analgesic like paracetamol will relieve the symptoms but the infection is still present and can re-occur once the effect of the drug is removed.
Your child could have had another infection the 2nd time as well.
It’s best to advise good hygiene to your kids, like keeping hands clean and not putting anything in the mouth, not biting nails etc.
I heard something like that about antibiotics. Great information.
http://theinformer.today.com
Thanks for the response
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