2006-08-31 19:34:29 · 8 answers · asked by magiarul 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Usually they shouldn't.
In some cases they are treating parallel infections, or they are not sure what kind of illness it is - is it a viral fever or a strep? a strep must be treated with antibiotic, that is why usually the doc should do a culture to verify.
If a doc prescribes you an antibiotic and you are not sure it is needed, discuss. You are responsible for your health, not the doctor! he is a counselor, not a director.
2006-08-31 19:41:37 · answer #1 · answered by OneLilithHidesAnother 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
usually the doctor prescribes an anti viral like acyclovir or vancyclovir and if he gives u an anti biotic as well, its because he is treating a bacterial infection as well. this is one of the biggest problems in todays medicine. drs only have to treat the virus, but they do not do the proper investigations as to what the cause might be and they treat for a viral and a bacterial infection. this is the reason most of the pathogens are becoming resistant to the bacterial infections and then the drs cant treat it. it is becoming a big problem in the world.
everytime a dr admin's an antibiotic, the bacterial cell is making plans to avoid it like changing the enzymes, or its structure or metabloic pathways.
a dr should do the proper invetigations - blood culture, pcr etc and find out whats wrong and treat in accordingly, not give an antibiotic for a virus. - will never work!
2006-08-31 21:45:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a doctor, he should know what he is doing. However, if it is not a bacterial infection the antibiotics won't don't a whit of good. There are alot of studies lately that doctors are overprescribing anti-biotics and I think that is the case here. Most viruses have to run their course and by the time they are overwith is when it would appear the anti-biotics are working. People need to quit using them until they absolutely need them. I have a mother-in-law who saves hers and only takes them 2-3 days or until she feels better. That is not the purpose of anti-biotics. They are used for infections caused by bacteria and you have to continue taking them for 7-10 days no matter if you feel better or not. Please call you doctor and asked if this is viral or bacteria. At that point confront him if he says viral and say it won't do your 9yr. old any good, why did he prescribe it. One day, we're going to really need antibiotics and they won't work anymore because everyone has been taking them too much.
2016-03-27 03:05:39 · answer #3 · answered by Sandra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for obviously viral infections. Just incompetent ones. Now, if there is a complication of the viral infection which warrents antibiotics, then it's reasonable to prescribe antibiotics. Such as you have a nasty case of the flu, then you get an infection in your chest from bacteria breeding in the mucous.
2006-09-01 04:59:50 · answer #4 · answered by sovereign_carrie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If and when they do this, it must be because they are treating a secondary infection from the virus, Ex: Ear or sinus infections?
They know the virus still has to run its course, but the secondary infection is most likely the targt when prescribing antibiotics.
Note: This trend seems to be changing. My Dr. advised me against antibiotics with my last ear infection, in spite of a busted eardrum. He said that my body could do it. I almost didn't trust him, but i went home, gave it time and treated the symptoms and overcame! :)
Now I feel like superwoman or something. Not to mention I am a lot more confident in my bodies own abilities now. I didn't used to be, being so dependent on antibiotics (Psychologically dependent, that is.)
2006-08-31 19:38:14 · answer #5 · answered by NONAME 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all doctors do so. Some do it because they are not sure whether the infection is bacterial or viral and others, because patients want to be prescribed 'medicines' i.e. antibiotics and rather than spend time counselling, doctors prescribe an antibiotic so as not to lost the patient.
2006-09-01 06:31:18 · answer #6 · answered by yakkydoc 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To treat the secondary (bacterial) infection that tends to accompany a viral infection.
2006-08-31 19:40:30 · answer #7 · answered by Hidisar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they just prescribe antibiotics for further infections caused by these diseases.
remember the joke about the colds and pnuemonia? the doctor couldn't cure colds but could cure pneumonia..
2006-08-31 19:42:02 · answer #8 · answered by fakemoonlandings 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the ignorant patients insist on an antibiotic or they will go where they can get one. I lost quite a few patients that way.
2006-09-01 05:51:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋