Good use of antibiotics

antibiotics are safe and effective drugs when used well. They are substances capable of eliminating living organisms such as bacteria, destroying them (bactericidal) or preventing their development and reproduction (bacteriostatic).

However, the misuse of antibiotics can create "resistance" in women. These can become resistant to the antibiotic and, as a consequence, the dose necessary to eliminate it the next time will have to be higher. The bacteria may even become totally immune to the drug. In this case, there will be no antibiotic that can cure the infection that this resistant bacteria creates.

Since bacteria are transmitted between people, the irresponsible use of antibiotics can increase the number and severity of infections not only in the affected person but in other people. Only with the responsible use of antibiotics will we ensure that bacteria do not create resistance against them.

Medical prescription

There are different families of antibiotics and, in each family, there are several drugs with different pharmacological characteristics and action spectra. Therefore, only the doctor can indicate which antibiotic will be useful for each specific bacterial infection, in each clinical situation and for each individual patient.

Also, not all infections we suffer from should be treated with antibiotics. Many mild infections are eliminated by our immune system without the need to use them. Others, such as those caused by viruses, cannot be cured with antibiotics since viruses are not sensitive to these types of drugs.

Therefore, antibiotics should not be used to fight against those not caused by bacteria, such as colds or, since they are totally ineffective against the viruses that produce them and can create resistance in the bacteria that colonize our body naturally. . In this sense, only professionals know in which specific case antibiotics should be prescribed.

Pharmacists cannot dispense antibiotics without a doctor's prescription, so it is also not correct to request the purchase of antibiotics without a prior written prescription. Also, antibiotics cannot be recommended either.

Instructions

antibiotics (like any other drug) must be taken strictly following the doctor's instructions, not shortening or lengthening the intervals between doses or the total duration of treatments. This could lead to resistance in bacteria and relapses that may require stronger antibiotics or in higher doses than initially prescribed. Even if the patient feels improvement in his condition and in the symptoms of his disease, the treatment should be continued as prescribed until the end of the indicated treatment.

Only in the event of an adverse reaction can the treatment be discontinued and a doctor must be consulted immediately to assess the situation.