I’m No M.D., but…

I recently came across a story on CNN pertaining to the overuse of antibiotics, especially during this time of the year. Winter is turning into spring, but the trouble is that the temperature never stays consistent and we all get what is affectionately called “the crud.” The most common variance of “the crud” is the dreaded sinus infection, which is in all essence a viral infection. A recent study concluded that doctors prescribe antibiotics in 82% of acute sinus infections and 70% in chronic situations. In sum, over 50 million pounds of antibiotics are produced in the U.S. each year, compared to 2 million pounds in 1954.

The trouble is that antibiotics do not cure a viral infection. Viral infections are not living, but instead they live off of a cell in order to keep replicating. This is the equivalent to spraying a block of ice with a fire extinguisher. The ice stays cooler longer and you just waste the fire extinguisher’s fluid. By using antibiotics in mass quantity, common bacterial infections (what antibiotics are meant to treat, a living organism within a cell) are building up a tolerance to the treatments (bacterial resistance). Some antibiotics are becoming obsolete due to their over prescription and this could have disastrous consequences for the future.

The CDC is even concerned about this problem, as it is one of the most concerning public health problems the world faces today. Common ailments such as pneumonia and tuberculosis may one day become a problem once again. I am not saying that the controlled use of antibiotics is detrimental in anyway. But when we stuff our faces with them every time we have a slight post nasal drip or a sore throat, we need to take a step back and take care of things the old fashioned way. Take some vitamin C, drink some orange juice, catch some extra zzzzzz’s…