Learn how to combat antibiotic resistance:
We live in an age where everything is immediately at your fingertips and people expect real-time results. Because of this, many people seek an immediate cure to their ailment at the first sign of a sniffle or sneeze. Antibiotics, an amazing discovery that lead to much advancement in medicine, are not quite the cure-all many believe. According to the CDC, “antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses like colds, most sore throats, bronchitis, and some ear infections.”
It is understandable to want either yourself or a loved one to feel better when they are ill, but that does not necessarily mean an antibiotic is the appropriate treatment for all illnesses. For many ailments, the CDC recommends symptom relief as the best treatment option. If antibiotics are used too often for things they can’t treat – like colds and other viral infections – they may stop working against bacteria when you or your child really needs them. Currently, many health organizations consider antibiotic resistance one of the world’s most critical public health threats.
There are many things you can do to combat antibiotic resistance:
Remember, just because your physician did not prescribe an antibiotic does not mean you are not sick or that the physician did not treat you. Talk with your physician about the best treatment for the illness, which may include over-the-counter medication and other home remedies. For example, if your child has an upper respiratory viral infection, your physician may recommend increasing fluid intake; getting plenty of rest; using a cool-mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray; using ice chips; sore throat spray; and/or lozenges to soothe your child’s throat. Your pharmacist is also a valuable resource about at-home treatment options that may help reduce symptoms.
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