January 26, 2009
UNIT 4: EvolutionAre Antibiotics For Everything?
Do you think all kinds of sicknesses can be treated with antibiotics? Some patients do – and they’re wrong! Sicknesses such as the common cold and the flu are both viral diseases. Antibiotics do not kill viruses or treat the symptoms of viral diseases. You don’t have to suffer through flu season, though. Instead, doctors recommend that you get a flu shot. A flu shot is a vaccine against the flu, which means it may help you prevent getting the flu.
Some patients still ask for antibiotics for every sickness. Patients may not know it, but taking antibiotics when they are not needed can cause serious problems. First, antibiotics can have serious side effects or cause allergic reactions. Second, taking antibiotics unnecessarily is part of the reason that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more and more common.
Right now, some grocery store pharmacies are advertising free antibiotics. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and the Infectious Disease Society of America are concerned that the antibiotic promotions will cause patients to ask for antibiotic prescriptions from their doctors even if they do not really need antibiotics. The experts suggest that offering free flu shots would be a much better way of helping people stay healthy this winter!
Comments
Comment from: blakeF1Chs
October 26, 2009 06:02 AM [#]
I think that if they do put free antibiotics in stores there will be stronger viral diseases and an increase in illegal prescription drugs. They should avertise that antibiotics dont kill all viruses. If they start to give out free flu shots there will be an decrease in people getting sick.
Comment from: alexis1chs
October 26, 2009 06:03 AM [#]
in my opinion i think that antibiotics are only good if you actually need them.
Antibiotics should not be put out there if they are not needed.Stop using antibiotics if u are having severe reactions,
Comment from: Letyg1CHS
October 26, 2009 06:06 AM [#]
Viral diseases are not killed by antibiotics nor does it help treat the virus. This leads patients to get antibiotics that they really dont need. Offering free flu shots would really help people not get sick and also preventing them not to get unneccesary anitibiotics.
Comment from: kaitib4CHS
October 26, 2009 11:34 AM [#]
People should be informed that antibiotics do not treat every illness. it needs to be posted at doctors offices and at public places. free flu shots will help prevent as many ilnesses and the side effects of antibiotics.
:)
Comment from: lupitaa4CHS
October 26, 2009 11:40 AM [#]
In my own opinion, I believe that antibiotics shoud be prescribed from doctors to patients that actually need antibiotics. Many people might not know that antibiotics doesn't help with every sickness people have and it would be a good idea for doctors to let the people know. Another reason to let people know, like the article says, antibiotics can cause problems. Maybe offering a free flu shot is a better idea than handing out antibiotics .
Comment from: oscarA4CHS
October 26, 2009 11:41 AM [#]
having free antibiotics for me is lyk giving out free drugs b/c they could say that there sick but thier really not nad use it for other stuff.
but at the same time giving free flue shot is was up, cuz maybe people dont have we money to afford getting the shot.