ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics are one of nature’s gifts to humankind. While they aren’t effective against diseases that are caused by a virus, no other medicine is more effective for treating stubborn infections caused by bacteria. The problem: Many patients are unaware that antibiotics cannot be used to treat a virus and expect to be given an antibiotic—for example, to treat a common cold. Doctors, of course, are aware of the difference but will nonetheless sometimes respond to an undiagnosed illness by first prescribing an antibiotic. If that medicine fails to work, then they will conclude that they’re dealing with a virus. Some doctors also prescribe antibiotics for relatively minor illnesses. The adverse result: Data published by the American Medical Association suggest that 30% of antibiotics prescribed in the U.S. are unnecessary, mostly

because the prescriptions had been written for viral respiratory conditions. This poses significant problems, and not just because indiscriminate use of antibiotics leads to the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, one of the most serious current threats to public health. Taking an antibiotic also represents a huge intervention in the microbiologic structure of the body—and this can result in severe side effects. The fact of the matter is: Even a seemingly harmless antibiotic can lead to psychosis, symptoms of poisoning, and worse.