The main purpose of an antibiotic is to control or eradicate a potentially harmful bacterium, virus, or fungus that invades our otherwise healthy body. Antibiotics are often overly prescribed by health care providers, either due to habitual prescribing habits or through pressure from patients who demand their providers to prescribe an antibiotic for an ailment that brought them to the clinic.
Little does the public know that inappropriate use of antibiotics can cause more harm than good. Antibiotics’ side effects include drug reaction, development of multidrug-resistant organisms and antibiotic-associated colitis.
Little does the public know that inappropriate use of antibiotics can cause more harm than good.
Therefore, it is very important that antibiotics are prescribed appropriately and that patients do not pressure their providers into inappropriate prescribing behavior. Rule of thumb is that when you have an ailment such as a cough or sinus congestion that lasts more than 7-10 days or bladder symptoms with fever, then an antibiotic may be appropriate since bacteria or fungus may be the culprits.
If you have any questions, please contact our office.
