Antibiotics
September 9, 2008 – 10:58 pmWelcome back!
Antibiotics are widely used in the United States. Many people go to the doctor at first sign of sickness, even though it may not be necessary. Children get prescribed antibiotics for everything but the most common reason is for an ear infection. Research has shown that most ear infections clear up on their own without prescription drugs.
The problem with doctors over prescribing antibiotics is that bacteria or a virus that is suppose to be killed is now immune to most antibiotics and they become useless at this stage. So, instead of prescribing antibiotics for everything doctors are now trying to get patients use the “wait and see” approach.
There was a study done by Dr. David Spiro that was published in Journal of the American Medical Association. It included 283 children with ear infections ranging from 6 months to 12 years and they were observed for a year. The group was divided randomly into two groups. The first group of 145 was given prescriptions for antibiotics and was told to fill them immediately. The second group of 138 was told about the “wait and see” approach and they were given prescriptions but the parents had to wait 48 hours and only could fill the prescription if the child got worse. Spiro found that only two-thirds of the “wait and see” group filled their prescriptions and the children got better at the same rate as the other children. So the results of the study showed that antibiotics are not always the right choice, sometimes it is better to wait and see if the child gets better on their own.
Our body is made to help itself heal. Before antibiotics were widely used, most pediatricians were trained that all ear infections have to be treated with antibiotics in order to avoid serious complications. In 1960s, studies have found that most of the antibiotics cured 90 percent of the infections. But in cases without treatment, 80 percent were cured. The 10 percent difference bothered people, so antibiotics became the standard treatment. In 1990s, doctors started to realize that not every child that has an ear infection needs antibiotics to clear it up. In 2004, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommended the “wait and see” approach for children 2 years and older who were not in pain.
The bottom line is taking antibiotics is up to you but remember they are not necessary to heal every infection or illness. As a parent, don’t be impatient about how quickly your child gets well. Listen to your doctor if they tell you to wait and see if the problem clears up on its own. This will save you money in the long run and your child should be healthier without indigesting unneeded antibiotics in their body. By not using antibiotic now you may save your child from being immune to antibiotics later in life. Perhaps, then he or she will need a good antibiotic to stop a serious infection or virus.
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