In USA, is it true that Antibiotics are not allowed to be prescribed to patients??

Question

in my country antibiotics are not restricted but i know its harmful.

can you recommend another rapid treatement medicine for influenza????

Answer 1

Umm...Antibiotics are prescription only, although alot of times they are not needed.

For flu, supportive treatment is good (rest, fluids, etc.) If you are within 48 hrs of the onset of symptoms, there is a drug called Tamiflu that is an antiviral specifically for influenza

Answer 2

Well, first off, antibiotics are medications designed to fight bacterial infections, and "flu" or influenza is due to a virus. Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that doctors in the USA prescribe for flu symptoms.

Antibiotics are definitely overprescribed in the US, but it is not unusual for a patient to develop a secondary bacterial infection, particularly of the upper respiratory tract after the "flu", due to the fact that the respiratory epithelium, which normally protects against ubiquitous bacteria is damaged and the bacteria have the opportunity to colonize and eventually infect the area. Only in such case would antibiotics be of any value.

To correct the above listed post: The encouragement to not overuse antibiotics is NOT because the viruses are mutating, it is because BACTERIA are mutating, forming the "super-bugs" that can develop resistance to mutiple antibiotics. While viruses also mutate at a high rate (reason why there is a new flu vaccine every year), it has nothing to do with antibiotics.

Answer 3

First of all, antibiotics are overprescribed in the US. Yes, they are harmful to the natural flora in your intestines and can cause all sorts of problems. Influenza is a virus and antibiotics will not touch a virus, only bacteria. The best thing for influenza is rest, keep warm, and drink plenty of fluids while letting the body's own immune system do its work.

'nuff said?

Answer 4

If that were true, people would be dying. Antibiotics are given, but doctors are trying to not overuse Antibiotics. The reason is because viruses are starting to become ammune to treatments where Antibiotics are used. Viruses are mutating. A lot of this is from overuse with Antibiotics in the past. That's why doctors are trying not to use Antibiotics unless it's necessary.

Answer 5

I know a lot of medicines which need a prescription here in the U.S. are available over the counter in many countries, but I don't know of any antibiotics which aren't available by prescription.

The best treatment I've had for the flu is hot tea with honey for your throat, curling up in bed, and getting plenty of rest.

Answer 6

Antibiotics are always prescribed to patients in America. Dr's jump at the chance to prescribe medicines.

Hot chicken soup and juice are my favorite influenza treatments.

Answer 7

People in the US are prescribed antibiotics all the time. Doctors are more careful these days, because your body can be immune to them if taken too often. They are reserved for bacterial infections,not viral.

Answer 8

they seem to have more antibiotics prescriptions in the us than anywhere else in the world, it's scary. if you have the flou, don't touch them, and tell your doctor very clearly you don't want them. the flu is a viral infection so antibiotics will not tackle it but do a lot of damage to you anyway. get bedrest if you cacn at all, drink plenty of fluids and have soup.

Answer 9

no that is not true . antibiotics are used all of the time over the counter medicines such as tylenol , vitamin c, and the herb echinacea ar helpful go to www.kroger.com for more information.

Answer 10

alot of doctors proscribe antibiotics for things like infections and open wounds