Daily Health Care & Medical Tips

Guest article by Shannon Wills

They were once thought to be miracle cures, but today, we know much more about antibiotics to realize that unless used responsibly, they could end up doing more harm than good. People take them based on their doctor’s prescription, but they don’t understand that they must follow the prescription to the letter instead of using these pills at will. In general, if you want to use antibiotics wisely, here’s what you need to do:

• Don’t take antibiotics for viral infections: Antibiotics work only against infections caused by bacteria and certain fungal and parasitic infections. So when you pop pills every time you have a cold, you’re only weakening your immune system and allowing bacteria to build up a resistance to the antibiotics. And the next time you fall sick because of a bacterial infection, your recovery process is longer and more painful. In case you’re confused between bacterial and viral infections – a few ear infections, sinusitis, skin infections, urinary tract infections and strep throat are all caused by bacteria while colds, influenza, bronchitis, coughs and sore throats are caused by viruses.
• Finish the course even though you feel better: Antibiotics are not like painkillers or symptom suppressors – they must be taken as long as prescribed if they are to function efficiently. If your doctor asks you to take your pills twice a day, after meals, for a week, ensure that you follow these instructions religiously. If you don’t, you risk the bacteria developing immunity to the antibiotics and manifesting themselves much more strongly in your body the next time round.
• Don’t pop pills at will: Never take antibiotics without a prescription or every time you fall sick. These pills are not magical cures for any ailment that plagues you; rather, they’re meant to battle bad bacteria that cause infections. When you medicate yourself and use antibiotics without consulting your doctor, you risk giving rise to newer and more dangerous strains of bacteria against which there are currently no antibiotics that work effectively. You not only risk your health but the health of the society as well.
• Although researchers are working overtime to come up with newer antibiotics, it’s a race between them and the newer strains of bacteria that seem to be popping up with alarming alacrity simply because we don’t use antibiotics responsibly. Prevention is the best form of cure, so ensure that you don’t fall ill by eating right and boosting your immune system with exercise. And if you do fall sick, see a doctor and follow their orders to get well soon.

This article is contributed by Shannon Wills, who regularly writes on the subject of surgical technician schools. She invites your questions, comments at her email address: shannonwills23@gmail.com.