Antibiotics are anti-bacterial, not anti-viral and doctors know that full well so why do they keep giving people antibiotics for no reason when they know that they will do more harm than good? Haven't they pledged to do "no harm"?
2007-09-21 05:33:45 · 16 answers · asked by S007 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
The bacteria "theory" doesn't hold up. It's because the patient usually asks for the anti-biotics and the doctors are oh so very happy to oblige and help out their pals in the pharmaceutical companies.
The doctors who are over prescribing anti-biotics, are responsible, in large part, for the growing problem of "ineffective anti-biotics syndrome" due to over use.
2007-09-21 05:43:07 · answer #1 · answered by Adviso 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You might ask your doctor. You should not be taking antibiotics unless you have tested positive for a bacterial infection. The flu is indeed a virus and can only be treated by managing the symptoms or with anti-viral medication.
There truly are people who cannot be convinced of this. My MIL is one of them...as far as she is concerned "a fever means an infection and an infection requires antibiotics".
Some doctors have given them to her simply because she was going to drive them nuts until the did.
The same people will take the meds only until the symptoms subside and save the rest in case they want to self-prescribe later on.
Doctors have a hard time these days because the insurance companies and HMO's dictate so much of what they can do.
2007-09-21 13:35:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although there is no cure for the common cold People want the doctor to give them something to make them better. Anti-Biotics are sometimes used to appease a sick patient. Other times there are Bacteria present such as strep (sp?) throat. Antibiotics won't really 'harm' you in a traditional sense. There are cases where a person is allergic to certain antibodies, and there are cases where people develop tolerances for antibiotics. Tolerances (both Human and Bacterias have become tolerant) are why you don't see the good ol' fashioned penicillin prescribed much anymore.
Prescribing antibiotics where there is no Bacteria is not a good practice, youre right about that. But on the other hand it's not really going to do any harm.
2007-09-21 12:44:26 · answer #3 · answered by Squirrel 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Antibiotics are generally prescribed to prevent secondary infections that are bacterial in nature. They figure your body is struggling enough being distracted by the virus...perfect time to head off the bacteria waiting in the shadows to strike. Most doctors don't prescribe an antibiotic for treatment of the flu but the ones who do are being cautious. I agree with you, though. Antibiotics need to be used sparingly in this day and time due to the overuse which is resulting in superbugs!
2007-09-21 13:15:06 · answer #4 · answered by Lynn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors do not routinely write for antibiotics in the presence of flu. If it is suspected that there is an opportunistic bacterial component, they may write. Years ago a recommendation was handed down that doctors will refrain from overprescribing antibiotics due to increasing resistance and this has been the case in most instances.
2007-09-21 13:55:01 · answer #5 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Indeed, influenza are caused by virus but in more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly.Since influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics have no effect on the infection; unless prescribed for secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia.
2007-09-21 12:42:55 · answer #6 · answered by ren_delapasion 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree but microbiology is a mystery to a lot of Gp's You don't want to know what questions we got when I worked in a microbiology lab.
My doc thankfully is much more low on the stuff. If there is another way I do not get antibiotics So getting better will take two more days Big deal
2007-09-21 12:40:57 · answer #7 · answered by MissE 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think antibiotics are given way too much!!! It should only be given for a Bacterial infection! As far as patients demanding them, The doctor has the pen and the script does'nt he???
2007-09-21 13:41:24 · answer #8 · answered by stuffingfun07 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No the hell with doing no harm if the Pt witll not work work the Dr because the majority of Patints demand that the Dr do something as they need instant cure and most will bad mouth a MD and damage the business and if the Dr refuse to give in the PT that will go elsewhere to try to get it as everyone trys to play Dr and knows more then they do he got to eat to so he going to do whats he got to to do
2007-09-21 12:54:09 · answer #9 · answered by George M G 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The people with the flu or a cold go to the doctor (unnecessarily, thus driving up costs) and expect the doctor to give them something and they don't want to hear about over-the-counter pills. So he gives them a low dose antibiotic as a placebo. People are stupid and doctors are their enablers.
2007-09-21 12:42:05 · answer #10 · answered by remowlms 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋