Think about this: You’ve been battling a nasty case of strep throat for days. However, after a day of antibiotics, you are finally starting to feel better. Tempted to skip those last few doses? Think again.
Antibiotics do NOT treat viruses
Antibiotics have completely revolutionized modern medicine by preventing the spread of disease and reducing serious disease complications. However, there are limitations on the type of infections that antibiotics can treat. Antibiotics can only be used to treat bacterial infections and cannot be used to treat viral infections.
If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed
When antibiotics are taken without a prescription or taken incorrectly, it can result in significant health complications for the patient. It is crucial to finish out your prescribed course of antibiotics in order to kill all of the disease-causing bacteria. By not finishing your full treatment you may have to start treatment again later. However, the biggest threat to not finishing your prescribed course of antibiotics is the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. When bacteria becomes antibiotic resistant, typical antibiotics used to treat the infection do not work as well…or at all. The bacteria has mutated in a way to protect itself from the drug’s effectiveness.
Antibiotic resistance is rapidly emerging as a major public health issue. Patients who develop antibiotic resistance often have a more serious illness, longer recovery time, more frequent or longer hospital stays, and more expensive treatments.
Completing your prescribed course of antibiotics is crucial for your health and the health of those around you. It ensures that the infection has been completely eliminated, reduces the risk of complications, and helps to prevent the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. So next time you want to stop taking your antibiotics as soon as you feel better…DON’T!
If you have questions or concerns about your antibiotic prescription, talk with your healthcare provider. If you need a medical or dental provider, our Health Center can provide you with the care you need. Call us at 330-723-9688, option 1. Options are available for the uninsured and a variety of insurances are accepted (private, Medicare, and Medicaid).
