Antibiotics: Lifesavers, But Not the Cause of Direct Deaths (Usually)
Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine, effectively combating bacterial infections that were once deadly. However, there’s a common misconception that antibiotics themselves directly cause a significant number of deaths.
The truth is a bit more nuanced. Antibiotics are incredibly safe when used correctly, but there are indirect ways they can contribute to death:
- Antibiotic Resistance: The overuse and misuse of antibiotics lead to antibiotic resistance. This is where bacteria evolve defenses against the drugs, making infections harder to treat. In these cases, infections that once responded well to antibiotics may become life-threatening. The World Health Organization estimates that antibiotic resistance was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019.
- C. Diff Infections: Disruption of gut flora is another potential danger. When antibiotics wipe out both good and bad bacteria in the gut, it can create an environment for the growth of harmful bacteria like Clostridium difficile (C. Diff). C. Diff causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, which can be fatal, especially in vulnerable populations.
The Takeaway
While antibiotics themselves rarely directly cause death, their role in antibiotic resistance is a serious public health concern. Responsible use of antibiotics is crucial to ensure their effectiveness for generations to come.
Here are some key points to remember:
- Antibiotics are powerful tools for fighting bacterial infections, but they should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
- Don’t pressure your doctor for antibiotics for viral illnesses like the common cold. Antibiotics won’t work against viruses.
- Complete the entire course of antibiotics even if you start to feel better. Stopping early can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- Be aware of potential side effects and report them to your doctor.
By working together, we can ensure antibiotics remain a valuable tool in fighting infections and saving lives.
By no means are we at LSV Vitamins saying do not take what your doctor prescribes, we are just saying that we have an alternative for those who cannot take Antibiotics, afraid one of the many side effects, or simply want to try an all-natural alternative. We have a large number of people (over 100,000) who take and have taken this at the first sign of a problem, and it works well. As always, consult your doctor.
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Below are a number of statistics that help describe how antibiotics are currently being prescribed in outpatient settings in the United States and how these practices are contributing to the larger issue of antimicrobial resistance.
- In 2014, 266.1 million courses of antibiotics are dispensed to outpatients in U.S. community pharmacies. This equates to more than 5 prescriptions written each year for every 6 people in the United States.
- At least 28% of antibiotics prescribed in the outpatient setting are unnecessary, meaning that no antibiotic was needed at all.
- Total inappropriate antibiotic use, inclusive of unnecessary use and inappropriate selection, dosing and duration, may approach 50% of all outpatient antibiotic use
The possibility of antibiotic side effects can be frightening, but it is important to remember that their proper use has saved countless lives. Those using antibiotics should report any possible negative reactions to their doctor immediately. In some cases, doctors will have their patients continue using a specific antibiotic if the side effects are mild; in others, the doctor will switch the patient to another drug.
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*Disclaimer: None of the above statements have been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. As always, consult your physician before taking any supplements. LSV. Individual results may vary.