Do you understand Antibiotic Resistance?
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Do you understand Antibiotic Resistance?
| Wed, 11-14-2012 - 7:57am |
Do you understand what causes antibiotic resistance?
According to Health Day News, most Americans don't. "Americans are not as smart about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance as they should be, a new poll shows.For instance, although almost 90 percent of Americans know that antibiotics are effective for treating bacterial infections, more than a third also erroneously believed the drugs can fight viral infections such as the common cold or the flu." More
Have you ever spoken to your doctor about antibiotic resistant superbugs?
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I'm constantly surprised at the number of people who complain when a doctor won't give them an antibiotic for a viral infection.
Hi Karla,
Yes I'm very aware of antibiotic resistance, yet would someone please explain why physicians don't culture to determine exactly what their dealing with? It's seems it all comes down to educated opinion rather than science. It is unstanderable in emergencies but a simple doctor visit shouldn't just result in "here take these antibiotic pills". To someone use to dealing in precision it is like using a sledge hammer to chop down a tree! The worst part is the drug makers are running out of medicines to deal with some infections. It would seem the bacteria are getting smarter than the drugs.
Honestly, I think it partly has to do with people so used to wanting a quick fix that patients run right into the doctor's office because they get sick and expect medication to fix it instead of just letting it run its course like they should. That, and the doctor's office getting plenty of soliciting from the drug companies themselves. My boss was just telling me last week that she went in for what she figured was allegies and the doctor agreed and she went home, but when she hadn't gotten better in a few days, called the doctor and the doctor called her in an antibiotic. Well, if it was an allergy, unless she all of a sudden had a sinus infection, which IMO the doctor should be verifying, nothing other than an antihistimine and possible a decongestant, and lots of water to flush things out is going to make the allergies much better. Too many people are so used to just getting a pill to feel better that they are too impatient to just let a virus work itself through their system like nature intended.