As a parent, I generally don’t overreact to small cuts and bruises and I’m not an alarmist when it comes to most ailments and injuries. Quite possibly this is the result of my status as a mom of three boys who are constantly bruised and sniffling. We don’t rush to the doctor for coughs and many times we wait it out to see if the sickness will resolve itself without medication. However, when my kids have a sore throat combined with a fever off we go to our local pediatrician. There is an underlying strategy here, which I am embarrassed to admit, I am hoping that the fever and sore throat are symptoms of strep throat and not a viral infection. Reason being: strep throat has a quick fix and viruses don’t. Once strep is confirmed antibiotics are taken and we are virtually guaranteed a healthy child in less than 24 hours. How did I get to this point where I am actually wishing my child has strep?
We expect a prescription when our kids are sick
Since the 1940’s, when antibiotics were first used, humans have developed a growing expectation for an antibiotic prescription when visiting the doctor. When we’re sick we expect and want to be cured by a hearty dose of penicillin or something similar. Antibiotics are perceived to be a “miracle drug”and there is no denying that antibiotics have saved countless lives worldwide.
Antibiotics for humans: are they over-prescribed?
According to well respected pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene:
Up to 60 % of children with common colds are treated with antibiotics (Journal of Family Practice 1996; 42:357–361). Because children average three to eight colds each year, most accompanied by green or yellow runny noses, they can get many, many rounds of unnecessary (and therefore harmful) antibiotics.
There are times when antibiotics are prescribed just to be safe-to make sure that a bacterial infection doesn’t exist although one hasn’t been detected. That’s just feeding the over-use frenzy. Overuse of antibiotics is dangerous-it produces “superbug” bacteria that are resistant to the drugs and can no longer be destroyed. The World Health Organization has cited antibiotic resistance as one of the three most serious public health threats of the 21st century.
Antibiotics in animal farming: overused and linked to growing antibiotic-resistance in humans
Antibiotics prescribed to people are just the tip of the superbug problem. On factory-farms, which produce a lot of our meat, the animals are forced to live packed together in awful, filthy conditions. The farmers give antibiotics as a preventative measure-so the animals don’t get sick.
Antibiotics are used far more in the agribusiness industry then they are for human illnesses. According to the Ecologist, in Europe half of all antibiotics are prescribed for animals and in the US that number is even higher, possibly around 70 percent.
There is now evidence out there that strains of resistant bacteria are being transferred to humans through the food chain – putting us at risk for more untreatable infections.
Smart use of antibiotics-what we can do
We are getting hit with antibiotics when we’re sick and we’re also possibly getting a dose of antibiotics from the food that we are eating.
How can we prevent this from happening?
- Pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, has some excellent advice to help cut back on antibiotic over-use:
- When your child is sick and you are visiting your pediatrician mention : “If there is any way to safely help her feel better without antibiotics that is what I would prefer.”
- Stop buying soaps, hand wipes and cleaning agents that are advertised to be “antibacterial”. Health experts believe that overuse of antibacterial products is promoting the growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibacterial treatment.
- Foods that may have antibiotics in them are generally meat products, poultry, fish and game. Only buy meat that is labeled “no antibiotics added” or something similar. This means the producer has demonstrated that the animals were raised without antibiotics and there is no chance that antibiotics will be transferred to you via your food.
- Join Moms for Antibiotic Awareness to learn more about antibiotic overuse and take action.
- Join Healthy Child Healthy World to stay informed.
Do you worry about the overuse of antibiotics?
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[Top photo used under Creative Commons from e-Magine Art/Flickr]
[Cow photo used under Creative Commons from Joost J. Bakker/Flickr]
Ack! I am as anti antibiotics as they come, ever since I was 12 years old. Back in the day, the “bubble gum medicine” (usually amoxicillan)was par for the course for everything from an upper respiratory to an ear infection. Thanks to that bubble gum medicine (and it’s more powerful friends) along with some lousy tonsils, I developed an immunity to the spectrum and my tonsils flared so big they cut off my air. Rushed to the ER for an emergency tonsilectomy, I swore them off then and there.
I AM a big fan of immune system boosting pre and pro-biotics. Kefir, yogurts – naturally occurring goodness. Add vitamin and mineral rich foods, (green and leafy works!) a vitamin supplement, and very importantly: D3 and I’m happy to report that our family gets sick rarely, even in the face of the dreaded strep outbreaks!! Although I have to say, when it comes to strep throat (or other serious infection such as staph) you shouldn’t mess around, and antibiotics are quite necessary.
But sometimes it’s not as obvious as a prescription- thanks so much for pointing out the hidden dangers of anitbiotics in our food Lori, and they yuck chemicals that we think are “good germ killers”. Go Vinegar!!! >> http://getyourgreenbeans.com/learn-and-grow/baby-steps-to-cleaner-greener-living-week-1-behold-the-power-of-vinegar/ 😉
It’s actualy been years since I’ve taken antibiotics (because a) I’m rarely sick, and b) I have crappy insurance), but I still do eat non organic dairy at restaurants, so I am not in the clear. Asking your doctor for safe alternatives sounds like a great idea! Most of my sore throats have gone away with judicious salt water gargling and honey lemon tea. 🙂
My oldest is on antibiotics right now for a bad ear infection…poor kid has a pretty low immune system and I usually treat at home but this darn infection has been plaguing him since the beginning of March…so this is the second round of antibiotics…and I can see how it makes his system out of whack and he’s all loopy and his tummy hurts ;( We use a candida treatment (homeopathic) along with and …and kefir is a big help in our house too.
thanks for the great article!!!!!! Great comments too…love those home remedies!
Thanks for the great link to your post on vinegar Petunia! I am also a big fan of pro-biotics. We all take acidophlus every day. Green foods are another good immune booster. The pharmacies still seem to flavor antibiotics with bubble gum flavor ( a personal favorite of my middle son) and all sorts of other flavors so kids will take them without much of a struggle. But if we can avoid antibiotics when the illness doesn’t call for them we will be helping reduce the incidence of overusing this incredible drug.
Glad to hear you are rarely sick Jennifer-you must take good care of yourself. An occasional lapse at a restaurant doesn’t count -since I am guessing it’s not daily. I also like gargling with salt water and drinking lots of tea!
Poor guy-so frustrating when that first round of antibiotics doesn’t work. I still get ear infections-and they aren’t fun. They are extremely painful. An excellent idea to give a homeopathic treatment along with the antibiotics to help out. Kefir is fabulous since it contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt.
I am an RN. When I worked F/T I had great support from my dietician who worked closely with me to work out a regimen to eliminate antibiotics, at times, to heal pts problems/wounds and promote healing.
sometimes it was cranberry tabs instead of UTI antibiotics, or bland diet and lactobacilis instead of a flagyl. etc
the pt can be their own avocate…give clear instructions for the kind of care you expect by talking to your nurse and dieticians. take notes b4 you see your MD so you don’t miss anything at your bedside meeting or visits. so many illness in the 21 century can be eliminated with proper human diets. #1 diabeties, obesity, and cancers.
Great post. Besides the good ideas listed above (ingesting probiotics and green foods), I also highly recommend drinking lots of water – your immune systems functions best when your body is hydrated, and all that extra pee helps to flush out bacteria. Don’t forget to wash your hands frequently. Hand sanitizer is a good alternative when no sink is nearby, but nothing beats water and soap. Here’s a great visual reminder of proper handwashing technique: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/pubhealth/pdf/handwash_tech.pdf
I totally believe this country over medicates people. My father passed away from cancer in November. We came to find out after his death that he didn’t even have cancer, he was over medicated and was exposed to too many chemo treatments that it made his body breakdown. His body was reacting to one medication and they were covering it with another medication. I do whatever I can to not take antibiotics. I am very passionate about this. I used to take advil for the minor headache and now I won’t even buy it. It’s very scary to think about. Thanks for posting this. I think it’s important for people to read.
Great addition to the list Andrea. Water drinking is so important for a variety of reasons. Thanks for the hand washing link-it sure is thorough!
So nice to hear that you worked as a team to reduce the amount of antibiotics prescribed. I agree Anastacia-as patients we are our own best advocates. Using your voice to talk and question prescriptions and procedures will go a long way. Thanks for your comment.
I’m so sorry about your father Meg. It’s hard to know what’s best-especially when someone is going through an illness and you are relying on the physicians in charge of treatment. I also try to not take antibiotics for every cold or flu, but do resort to them in instances when they really can be helpful i.e a bacterial infection.