Preserve A Treasure

Many individuals either expect or ask their physicians to prescribe antibiotics when they feel sick or have a common cold. Some may even approach a pharmacy dispensing counter and ask for a specific antibiotic that thought to be the ' magic bullets' after they had administered once during their previous sickness. Improper use and abuse of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance which occurs when strains of bacteria in the human body become resistant to antibiotics. Besides, most patients do not finish the full dosage of the antibiotic because they think that they have already recovered and there is no reason for them to continue taking drugs. In fact, when an antibiotic prescription is not finished (even leaving one or two pills), it leaves some bacteria alive and resistant to future antibiotic treatment. When this occurs, your illness lasts longer and your physicians will have to prescribe a different antibiotic in order to fight the infection. Therefore, scientists keep doing research in order to find alternatives for antibiotics that had found to develop resistance problems.
Physicians, community pharmacists, and patients have a role to play in decreasing the misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic should only be prescribed if a bacterial infection present. Antibiotics are not effective in fighting a viral disease. Bear in mind that common cold and flu are caused by viruses. In US, it is estimated that 50 percent of the prescriptions are unnecessary since they are being prescribed for colds, cough, and other viral infections. Do not demand antibiotics from your physician. When given antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed and complete the full course of treatment. Do not hoard pills for later use or share leftover antibiotics. When used prudently, antibiotics are a powerful medicinal tool to combat with bacteria-causing diseases.

View/download a brochure containing information about antibiotic resistance.

View/download a brochure from the U.S. FDA.

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