By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Antibiotics: Just What the Doctor (Shouldn’t Have) Ordered
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Antibiotics: Just What the Doctor (Shouldn’t Have) Ordered
Public Health

Antibiotics: Just What the Doctor (Shouldn’t Have) Ordered

John Tucker
John Tucker
Share
5 Min Read
Antibiotics
Antibiotics: Just What the Doctor (Shouldn’t Have) Ordered - free stock by Pexels
SHARE

When was the last time you had a common cold, like a sore throat, an earache or a sinus infection? These are some of the most common medical problems, and they account for millions of visits to the doctor every year. The chances are good that you have suffered from one of these symptoms in the past year or two, and that you went to a doctor to receive treatment for your condition.

Antibiotics
Antibiotics: Just What the Doctor (Shouldn?t Have) Ordered – free stock by Pexels
The problem is that one-third of patients with earaches, sore throats or sinus infections are given treatment that is not only inadequate, it can even be quite dangerous. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that doctors regularly overprescribe antibiotics, especially the wrong kinds of antibiotics, to patients with these common problems, per Consumer Reports.

Contents
  • Why We Take Antibiotics
  • What are the More Effective Antibiotics?
  • What Should Patients Know About Taking Antibiotics?

Why We Take Antibiotics

Antibiotics are intended to aid a patient?s recovery time by fighting bacterial infections. However, many of the infections associated with the common cold are not caused by bacterial infections. They are often viral infections, meaning that those antibiotics you?re taking aren?t helping you get better. If you find that concerning, you might be even more alarmed by the fact that, instead of prescribing antibiotics that fight the bacteria at the root of our infections, doctors often prescribe antibiotics that kill off a wide range of bacteria. These ?broad spectrum? antibiotics also kill off bacteria that our body needs to keep us healthy. When we take antibiotics that attack a broad spectrum of bacteria in our body, we become more vulnerable to other types of infections. Certain types of antibiotics, many of which are wrongly prescribed for sinus infections or earaches, pose great risks for patients. Levaquin and Cipro, for example, can cause serious complications. These antibiotics are classified as fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and they are strongly linked to muscular and nervous system damage, among other complications. These medications are supposed to be given to patients who have very serious, life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia or anthrax. Instead, they are often prescribed for more common, less serious infections ? such as, infections associated with the common cold. Patients are also regularly given antibiotics that are relatively ineffective, such as the commonly used Z-Pak, even though up to one-fourth of the bacteria causing common infections have grown resistant to the drug. Yet, doctors prescribe these drugs and patients take them, in large part, because they are easier to take than other more effective antibiotics.

What are the More Effective Antibiotics?

Amoxicillin and penicillin are typically considered by medical professionals to be the most effective at fighting bacterial infections causing sinus infections and earaches. Taking these antibiotics requires a little more time (patients take them more frequently and for longer periods than their less effective counterparts) but they are more likely to address the infection causing their symptoms.

What Should Patients Know About Taking Antibiotics?

First, it is important to realize that so many of the infections that cause earaches or sore throats are viral and should not be treated by antibiotics. If your conditions last longer than 10 days or if they are recurring, then seeking medical treatment is probably in your best interest. If your doctor swabs your throat and finds out that you have strep throat, you might need to take antibiotics for treatment. You can also ask your doctor if you should refrain from taking antibiotics altogether. Pay attention to the antibiotics your doctor prescribes. If you aren?t allergic to amoxicillin or penicillin, you can ask your doctor specifically about these drugs. The lesson we can learn from the medical study and the report from Consumer Reports is that patients should strive to be knowledgeable about the drugs commonly prescribed by doctors. Unfortunately, we don?t always walk away from a doctor?s office with a prescription that is in our best interest to take.

More Read

Physicians Surveyed Gloomy About Healthcare Reform
Physicians Lose Right of Free Speech
Obesity Devices Gain From Drug Woes
Will the U.S. Lead on Global Health? Start with Vaccination.
The “Deep State” in American Health Care
TAGGED:antibiotics
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

Dying in America? Bureaucrats Care

October 16, 2014
patient doctor HIS
Public Health

Doctor/Patient Relationship: 7 Ways to Maintain Patient Interaction in the Age of the EHR

February 8, 2013
mainecare health legislation
Health ReformNewsPolicy & LawPublic Health

Will Maine Legislation Punish the Messenger?

March 5, 2014
Health carePublic HealthSpecialtiesWellness

Why Denial Is Dangerous For An Alcoholic Person?

May 21, 2019
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?