Antibiotic Overuse is Dangerous for Your Health

Antibiotics can be used to cure bacterial illnesses and infections. These include strep throat, sinusitis and some acute middle ear infections, as well as more serious infections and illnesses. They should never be taken to fight viruses, on which they have absolutely no effect. What's the difference between bacteria and viruses? Bacteria are one-called organisms found inside and outside our bodies, while viruses are smaller organisms that can only survive inside the body by reproducing.

Many people persist in the mistaken idea that antibiotics should be given for viral illnesses like colds, coughs, the flu, bronchitis, and sore throats. Because antibiotics are taken so often for the wrong illnesses or just as a quick fix, antibiotic resistance has become a huge global problem. This means that some bacteria survive antibiotics and multiply, causing longer illnesses, the necessity of ever more potent antibiotics, and sometimes death of the patient. Virtually all serious bacterial infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics. And the more antibiotics that are used, the more the chance of resistant bacteria surviving. That's why it's so important to make sure you don't abuse antibiotics and take them only when they are medically appropriate and there is no other way to relieve symptoms.

Uninformed parents are often the biggest culprits in antibiotic overuse. Health care providers tend to prescribe them more often if parents insist on it. Another problem is that antibiotics are often not taken as prescribed, leading to more bacterial resistance. Doses should not be skipped and the complete course of treatment should be completed no matter how well you feel because resistant bacteria may survive and reinfect you. If you have any leftover antibiotics, throw them away, and never take antibiotics that are not prescribed for you. There are many different kinds of antibiotics intended for specific infections and illnesses. You should also make sure that your pets are not over-prescribed antibiotics.

To avoid and treat viral infections, wash your hands frequently, avoid contact with people who are ill, drink more fluids, use a vaporizer or nasal spray for congestion, and suck on ice chips, lozenges or use a throat spray for sore throat. Keep in mind that viral infections are sometimes followed by bacterial infections, in which case you can consult your doctor on the efficacy of antibiotics, but antibiotics will have no effect on the virus.

Fortunately, it appears that antibacterial-containing products such as household cleaners and soaps do not add to the bacterial resistance problem, according to the Food and Drug Administration in a 2005 ruling. However, acne medication may also be a culprit in antibiotic resistance. It is unclear whether food supplements called probiotics, which are beneficial microorganisms, contribute to bacterial resistance, although my research suggests that they have only a beneficial effect on bacterial infections. Probiotics include Lactobacillus, Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and others.

Another area of concern in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is the routine feeding of antibiotics to factory-farmed animals, who are raised in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, to prevent illness rather than treat it. Shockingly, 70% of the antibiotics in the United States are actually given to chickens, cows, and hogs. This is called non-therapeutic antibiotic use, and over 350 animal welfare, consumer, environmental, agriculture, veterinary and medical organizations are opposed to this dangerous practice. A federal bill called The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) would prevent seven classes of antibiotics that are also used in humans from being added in a non-therapeutic manner to the feed of factory-farmed animals. Concerned consumers should write to their senators and congressmen to cosponsor this very important bill.

The bottom line with antibiotics is that, although they are true "miracle drugs" that have unquestionably saved millions of lives that would have been lost otherwise, their overuse and misuse have inevitably led to more potent and sometimes deadly bacterial illnesses and infections. Antibiotics should always be treated with respect and only be resorted to after other modalities have failed.