Health
Antibiotics: Good Or Bad?
Despite decades of studies proclaiming the wonders of antibiotics, a study showed that Australians are still confused on the proper intake of antibiotics.
The National Prescribing Service survey revealed that four out of five Australians expect their doctors to give them antibiotics for infections that affect ear, throat, nose, or chest.
Lynn Weekes, however, said that these infections are viral in nature, which means antibiotics are useless in fighting them. Dr. Weekes is the chief executive of the National Prescribing Service.
Dr. Weekes said these infections are commonly caused by a bug. When the situation feels more severe, people automatically think that taking antibiotics is the right thing to do. The study covered more than 1,000 Australians.
Another surprising finding is that half of the respondents think it is okay to stop taking antibiotics even when they have not yet completed the prescribing course. They are not aware that the practice can lead to antibiotic resistance.
40 percent of the respondents also do not know that antibiotics do not work against viruses.
Dr. Weekes said people should avoid using antibiotics haphazardly and without proper directions from the doctor. Irresponsible use affects not just the individual but the rest of the community, as well.
The study showed patients are less likely to get well if they take antibiotics that are not meant to fight viruses. ST93-MRSA-IV is one example of an antibiotic-resistant bug and this is the cause of more than 50 percent of golden staph superbugs in New South Wales.
Dr. Weekes said that the virus can cause pneumonia and abscesses.
