Antibiotics

Sooner or later, each family faces different problems with health, flus, colds and other infectious illnesses in particular. When we visit our doctor, we automatically expect him/her to prescribe antibiotics, don’t we? And we’re sincerely surprised, even angry, when we leave the hospital with nothing. And no one ever thought that doctors actually do us a favour. No doubt, antibiotics are nowadays a kind of universal panacea. But if you can recover without taking them, you’d better do it.

If you cannot avoid taking antibiotics, keep in mind the most important things about them. Antibiotics are helpful against bacterial infections only. Never use them to treat any viral infection. Firstly, it simply won’t help, secondly, you may cause so called bacterial resistance – bacteria become stronger and harder to kill, and therefore require higher doses of medications.
Bacterial resistance is a global health problem, many of existing antibiotics aren’t useful any more. So, to get the risk to a minimum, follow these rules.

Having noticed any symptoms of illness, consult your doctor at once. Even if the symptoms do not worsen and the illness seem to be a milder one, reinsure yourself visiting the hospital. If you take antibiotics, be sure you’ve got a bacterial infection. You may ask your doctor about all pro and contras of antibiotics. Be very careful with antibiotics if you have some problems with your liver and kidneys. Let you doctor know if you have got allergies.

Never use another people’s recipes. Do not use antibiotics than you have found around the house, all kind of medicine should be bought in a drug store.

Read the instruction carefully before taking anything, always check the label. When dealing with children, remember that doses for kids differ. Never keep antibiotics “for the next time”, eliminate everything what is left after taking a full course of antibiotics. They are taken for a concrete period of time and with regular intervals. Also do not take antibiotics longer then needed.

Usually, some time passes before antibiotics bring any result. So do not expect full recovering after taking one pill. Concerning children, it is enough for them to take antibiotics for one or two days to feel much better.

You can combat antibiotic resistance by doing simple things. Wash your hands, look after your children and make sure they have all necessary vaccinations made in time, take some vitamins to prevent a disease.