Antibiotics are nothing short of a godsend. They cure countless serious infections and save lives -- but they also have a shadowy side. Antibiotics are widely over-used, prescribed inaccurately and carelessly taken by patients. As a result, many antibiotics lose their effectiveness. At the least it means that we often have to take a longer course of the drug and at is worst, antibiotics lose their healing power completely. For instance, approximately 100,000 people die each year from infections they pick up in hospitals because the bacteria are resistant to available antibiotics.
To try and counteract this problem a new Mayo Clinic report, written by three leading infectious disease specialists, cautions doctors toavoid prescribing antibiotics with a one size fits all perspective. Instead, the experts recommend physicians consider several factors before writing out a prescription. And medical experts are now recommending patients play more of a role in antibiotic treatment.
So if you have a medical condition that may influence the effect of antibiotics, be sure to tell your doctor. The following are the leading factors that can influence the drug:
Your kidneys or liver are compromised. Both these organs work to flush out drugs from the body. If you know that either your kidneys or liver have tested poorly in the past, be sure to tell your doctor. When these organs are compromised, toxic levels of antibiotic could build up in your blood stream.
Youre older than you look. Good for you for passing but dont try to pull a fast one over on your doctor. Patients who are older are likely to tolerate an antibiotic differently, again due to kidney function. As you age, so do your organs.
You have a drug allergy. If youve ever had a bad reaction to an antibiotic even once be upfront with your physician. It doesnt mean youre still allergic to the drug. But it does indicate that your doctor should have a skin test performed to check on your status. Theres no reason to pass up an ideal antibiotic treatment if youre no longer allergic to the drug.
Youve just had a course of antibiotics. If youve taken an antibiotic for an infection recently (within a month or two) and you need to take one again theres a good chance you have a resistance to the originally prescribed antibiotic. Your doctor needs to have this information so a different antibiotic can be offered.
Ultimately, its up to your doctor to figure out whether you need an antibiotic, and if you do, which kind that will hopefully be most effective for your condition. However, according to Randall S. Edson MD, from the Mayo Clinic, who is one of the authors of the report, doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics for viral infections even though viral infections cant be treated successfully with an antibiotic. The only kinds of infections antibiotics work on are bacterial.
How can your doctor be sure what kind of infection you have? By taking a culture. The results will not only identify whether your infection is viral or bacterial, but may indicate what kind of antibiotic is best suited for your condition. If your doctor doesnt take a culture, feel free to suggest it. Help your physician to prescribe antibiotics wisely by being an informed and vocal patient.
Robin Westen is ThirdAges medical reporter. Check for her daily updates.
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