Antibiotics can be one of the most helpful tools for saving lives and curing infections, but the over prescribing of these drugs has made them a danger as well. Over the past few decades, antibiotics have become overused for minor illnesses, because many people think there can be no harm in taking them just in case.  Now we know that overuse of antibiotics is quite harmful. The practice selectively breeds more resistant bacteria. People are getting sicker, more often, and are finding that their infections are more stubborn and last longer.

Many people do not realize that antibiotics have no effect at all on viruses, which are the cause of colds and flu. Furthermore, antibiotics can cause side effects and allergic reactions. Even though doctors know these facts, up to 55 percent of people with everyday colds are treated with antibiotics. For children, who average 3-8 colds each year, this translates into many rounds of unneeded antibiotics that are actually doing harm.

The overuse of antibiotics can have severe side effects. One the most harmful is the suppression of the immune system. A flow of studies on the use of antibiotics and the immune system have been conducted in the last 40 years. Most researchers agree that antibiotics display a suppression of antibody production and impairment of the rejection of foreign invaders (phagocytosis) by the white blood cells.

Antibiotics also reduce the production of potentially helpful bacteria, while at the same time promoting the growth of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. This is a recipe for out of control bacterial diseases.  So why are doctors over prescribing antibiotics every single day?  One major reason is that people want or expect a prescription. They are looking for something, anything, to cure their cold, or their child’s cold. The doctor wants to help you and your child feel better, faster. Giving you a prescription for an antibiotic seems like a fairly harmless thing to try.

Instead, work together with your doctor to avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics. When you see a doctor and explain our symptoms, tell them you would prefer to feel better without the use of antibiotics if at all possible. This tells your doctor up front that you aren’t pushing for antibiotics. It takes the pressure off of him or her to write a prescription. It also shows the doctor that you want to be partners in your care or your child’s care.

When used prudently, antibiotics can indeed be effective in fighting a number of bacterial infections. Be careful, however, not to rush to take antibiotics for that quick fix. When possible, stop the antibiotics to allow your body’s natural defenses to do the job.