During the winter season, doctors treat countless patients by
giving them antibiotics. This is often presumed to be a quick fix
to an illness. However, when antibiotics are not absolutely
necessary for healing, taking them can create health problems in
the future.

When antibiotics are taken repeatedly and unnecessarily, the
patient begins to develop a resistance to them. Therefore, if a
patient actually does need antibiotics for a later illness, they
have already developed a resistance and the antibiotics are
ineffective. Some people fail to realize how potent antibiotics
are, that they can cause severe allergic reactions and have life
threatening consequences.

Nancy Delaney, M.D., the physician at the Saint Louis University
Student Health and Counseling Center said, “I think it is important
to see a doctor when you’re sick because even if the doctor decides
you don’t need an antibiotic, there are prescription-strength
medications that are useful.”

Antibiotics can only effectively treat bacterial infections;
they never cure viral infections. Viruses cause 95 percent of sore
throats in adults; only 5 percent are actually caused by strep
(streptococcus), a bacterial infection.

With commercials and numerous ads that advertise different
medicines and antibiotics, some patients approach their doctor and
tell them what they want rather than let the doctor evaluate what
the patient needs, according to Delaney.

“Doctors feel pressure to please patients because unfortunately,
this [medicine] has become a business.” Delaney said.

Some doctors may not take the time to explain to patients that
antibiotics are not necessary; therefore, approximately one-half of
antibiotic prescriptions written by doctors outside of the hospital
are inappropriate.

Visiting a doctor is a good idea for anyone who’s not feeling
well, but proper evaluations of sicknesses are important as
antibiotics that are useless can cause many problems and can create
health risks.

“The problem with antibiotic overuse has become a major health
issue. Instead of asking doctors for antibiotics, patients should
be asking why they are being prescribed. I want to educate the
student body and their families about this health crisis,” Delaney
said.