Advice no one can afford to ignore.
When your nose is running, your throat is burning and your joints are aching, you’d do just about anything to make it stop.
And if over-the-counter cold and flu meds aren’t doing the trick, most people turn to what they think will be the next best thing.
Sometimes that is going to the doctor to ask for antibiotics.
But that decision isn’t just unnecessary — it’s downright dangerous.
The World Health Organisation has warned that right now, we are facing one of the biggest threats to global health: antibiotic resistance.
So how is this incredible innovation of modern medicine turning into our downfall?
In the 80 years since they were developed, antibiotics — drugs that kill bacteria, thereby helping to fight infection — have become an essential component of healthcare.
But the more we overuse and misuse antibiotics, the more bacteria develop a resistance to them. And this is not good news.
Dr Jeannie Yoo, Clinical Adviser for NPS MedicineWise, explains: “Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change to protect themselves from an antibiotic. They are then no longer sensitive to that antibiotic,” she says.
“When this happens, antibiotics that previously would have killed the bacteria, or stopped them from multiplying, no longer work.”
You’ve probably heard the term “superbugs” – meaning bacteria that are resistant to several different antibiotics.
Top Comments
Years ago I had a sinus infection. I had taken two lots of prescribed antibiotics and it still did not get better. I went to another dr who asked why as a teacher - when swine flu was going around, I had not been swabbed. She swabbed my nose and found that the bacterial infection was resistant to the particular type of antibiotics I has been prescribed. I said "so I have just taken a huge course for nothing". My son has had reocurring ear infections as a baby. Amoxicillin given four + times. Another dr queries "has any one factored that he has been given the wrong anti biotic?" Anti biotic resistance is real and scary, but for the times when they are needed why is there no swabbing to make sure the drugs given will be effective? Is it a money thing?i would have gladly paid earlier for my swabs ....
I have a cousin who is constantly on anti-biotics for bacterial infections in her feet... It's almost to the point that she finishes her course, gets the all clear and is on them again within a week.
I have 2 small kids and am currently pregnant. She visits me twice a week and I am becoming more and more worried that she could be putting my family at risk without even realising.
Last time it was Staph and Strep, but she has been told that as long as she keeps it covered it should be ok... I know she has not been told by her doctor to take probiotics and I have mentioned it to her, but she has not yet looked into it... Am I being paranoid?