Antibiotics and Super Bugs
Most scientific experts agree that the discovery of penicillin in the mid-twentieth century revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases worldwide. Since then, antibiotics have been used to treat a wide range of conditions that affect many different parts of your body, from your internal organs to the outer layer of your skin. Their use has become so widespread that many people are confused about what antibiotics can—and cannot—treat.
Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria, which are microscopic organisms that live within us and all around us. Many of these germs are not harmful and some, such as those living in your gut, help keep you healthy. But some germs can cause ill effects, such as urinary tract infections, strep throat, pneumonia and sexually transmitted diseases. Other more serious infections can result in hospitalization and even death. But not every condition responds to antibiotics. The more common examples are viral infections such as colds or the flu.
Unfortunately, the overuse of antibiotics in recent years has led to the emergence of “superbugs”: bacteria that have become resistant to many types of antibiotics. The more antibiotics are used to treat trivial conditions, the more likely they are to become ineffective for treating more serious conditions. Antibiotics are often unlikely to speed up the healing process and can cause side effects. Additionally, whether antibiotics are effective in prevention of infections is controversial and has led to their overuse. For these reasons, health experts are recommending that clinicians prescribe them only for more serious illnesses.
If you have been prescribed an antibiotic, be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to take them at the time of day specified and finish the entire course of treatment. Don’t save any of your antibiotics for a later time, and never take medicine that a provider prescribed for someone else.
While antibiotics are a powerful treatment for many illnesses, trust your health care provider to prescribe them only when they are truly necessary. As always, if you have any questions contact your provider directly.
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