Health Matters #4.
MEDICATION SAFETY: TAKE CARE TAKING ANTIBIOTICS (NB. This has been published)
by
Robert L. Fielding
Whenever you are prescribed antibiotics, there are some things you should know: you must take the full prescribed dose, not just one or two; they should be taken at the right times, particularly relative to meals, and they must not be shared.
Antibiotics are a cure for bacterial infections, not viral ones, and they should only be taken when prescribed by your doctor, and great care should be taken when using them.
Contrary to popular opinion, antibiotics are usually not needed for coughs, sore throats, and common colds.
Where antibiotics are needed is in the treatment of ear infections (most need antibiotics, others don’t) and sinus infections (antibiotics are needed for some long lasting or severe cases).
Doctors will ask you if you react adversely to antibiotics, but in any case those who are vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant bacteria include premature infants and children generally, the elderly, and specifically, bone marrow transplant patients, burn victims and patients with weakened immune systems.
Of course doctors are well aware of this, and will only prescribe antibiotics where totally appropriate. Having been prescribed with antibiotics though, the dosage instructions must be obeyed to the letter. When you do this, antibiotics will help you – they are among the most powerful and important medicines – take care – get better quicker!
Robert L. Fielding
by
Robert L. Fielding
Whenever you are prescribed antibiotics, there are some things you should know: you must take the full prescribed dose, not just one or two; they should be taken at the right times, particularly relative to meals, and they must not be shared.
Antibiotics are a cure for bacterial infections, not viral ones, and they should only be taken when prescribed by your doctor, and great care should be taken when using them.
Contrary to popular opinion, antibiotics are usually not needed for coughs, sore throats, and common colds.
Where antibiotics are needed is in the treatment of ear infections (most need antibiotics, others don’t) and sinus infections (antibiotics are needed for some long lasting or severe cases).
Doctors will ask you if you react adversely to antibiotics, but in any case those who are vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant bacteria include premature infants and children generally, the elderly, and specifically, bone marrow transplant patients, burn victims and patients with weakened immune systems.
Of course doctors are well aware of this, and will only prescribe antibiotics where totally appropriate. Having been prescribed with antibiotics though, the dosage instructions must be obeyed to the letter. When you do this, antibiotics will help you – they are among the most powerful and important medicines – take care – get better quicker!
Robert L. Fielding
posted by Justice at 2:56 AM
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