Are antibiotics overprescribed?

Question

I was just reading this study saying that we may be starting a "post-antibiotic era," a time when antibiotics are no longer effective, because bacteria have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics. (Ask if you want a citation.)

I know some parents who are so relieved when they take their kids to the pediatrician and come back with a prescription for antibiotics -- even when the illness wasn't bacterial. Obviously, I don't say anything (it's not my kid), but I do think it's irresponsible for a doctor to appease her/his customers with antibiotic prescriptions when they may may not be necessary or appropriate.

What do you think? Are antibiotics overprescribed?

Answer

Yes!! France is a HUGE culprit for this. MRSA is a serious problem. If you're prescribes antibiotics finish the course, otherwise your essentially vaccinating the illness against the antibiotics you used.

Answer

As a prescriber myself (I'm a nurse practitioner) I do agree that antibiotics are over prescribed. Which is why we have super bugs ie MRSA. However, when you're on the other side of things, you often second guess yourself. Like ok maybe this baby's ears look a little red, but it's Friday afternoon and there is no option other than ER where you practice. Do you let this baby and parents be miserable all weekend, or do you start antibiotics and see the child again on Monday to look at their ears again... Or maybe they're threatening to kill you if you don't give their child antibiotics. It's definitely NOT the doctor's easy way out. When it's your license that you have worked and sacrificed so much to get, then you can tell me that prescribing antibiotics when you're not 100% sure is taking the easy way out.

Answer

Here's one graph.  Break down is crazy!

Answer

No question! Western medicine: screw getting to the bottom of the problem, just cover it up with painkillers & prescription meds! This is why I love natural path and eastern medicine, getting to the root of the issue. It's not fast, but it's is long lasting

Answer

Absolutely! There are definitely times when antibiotics are necessary. But I've found so many natural ways to keep myself healthy and to fight infection when I have one. Usually PRObiotics are very helpful :)

Answer

Wow, I guess we've been lucky! I've never had a doctor prescribe an antibiotic for a virus. 😲

Answer

If you haven't, you should check out this documentary called Resistance! It's super informative and it's crazy to learn about how common antibiotics are in our everyday lives. Perhaps I'm ignorant but I had no idea that antibiotics were put into our food!

Answer

My GP will never give you anything unless she is completely positively sure you need it. Some people never take there prescription as prescribed, or they do not take all the antibiotics. By doing this you are allowing the bacteria in the body to become immune to the anti-biotics. Or so I'v been told anyway.

Answer

About two years ago i went to the urologist due to frequent UTI's. His conclusion was that everytime I had intercourse, it would be accompanied by a UTI, therefore the solution would be to take an antibiotic every time we had sex. I refused to and with the help of the urethral dilation alone, (no antibiotics after sex) I stopped getting the infections.

Answer

Yes, I truly think so. There is of course no shame ever in going to the doctor for anything but I can't believe how much prescriptions cost that do the exact same as the over the counter stuff. I've taken scripts before and never filled them but found the exact thing in over the counter😊

Are antibiotics overprescribed?

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