Don't I Need Some Medicine?

      Good afternoon, Fam...  Have you ever been sick, gone to the doctor and been told by the doctor that you don't need a prescription?  Now, you are looking at the doctor, while the doctor is looking at you, wondering why you are looking at him/her with the side eye!  And you are sitting there wondering, "don't I need some medicine?"  Well, truth of the matter is, sometimes medicine just won't work for what you have.  Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics.


      This week is the CDC's Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.  This is the time they try to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance and how important using the right antibiotic is.  According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), more than 2 million people in the US are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and approximately 23,000 people die because of these infections.  About 50% of the antibiotics that are prescribed for people are UNNECESSARY.  Here is a chart from the CDC that shows you examples of  when an antibiotic is needed:

          This is not to say that there are not other reasons that you wouldn't need an antibiotic, but just a reference point.  In other words, every time you go to the doctor don't expect to walk out with a prescription...  And IF the doctor does give you a prescription for an antibiotic, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, complete the whole course.  Do not stop taking the medication because you feel better.  When you stop the antibiotic before you are done, you are setting your body up for resisting the medication in the future.  So, as time goes on, if you are given that medication again, there is a very good chance that the infection you have will become RESISTANT and the antibiotic WILL NOT WORK for you.

     This resistance is part of the reason why there are sooooooo many antibiotics available on the market now.  Because of this resistance, there are many hospitals that have restricted the use of certain antibiotics in an effort to insure that patients that are admitted with severe, "super bugs" have antibiotics that will WORK to kill the infection.

     So, the next time you are feeling bad and go to see your doctor, realize that the doctor may only give you medication to make your symptoms feel better (cough syrup, Tylenol, nasal spray) instead of an antibiotic.  Now, I must say if your symptoms persist and carry on for more that 1 week or so, go back and let them know.  There may be something else brewing...

SMOOCHES