Antibiotics are something that many of us take for granted and many people believe it's a "quick fix" for whatever's ailing them. However, antibiotics are being prescribed for common ailments such as ear infections and sore throats to the point where the medicine isn't working as well as it used to. This doesn't mean that we are becoming resistant to antibiotics, but the bacteria the antibiotics target is becoming resistant to our modern medicines.
Even though antibiotics have really only been around since the 1930s, the bacteria in our bodies is evolving to the point where they no longer respond to antibiotics and they're growing stronger. The resistance our bodies are developing to antibiotics is concerning. According to the CDC "If antibiotics lose their effectiveness, then we lose the ability to treat infections and control public health threats" ("About Antibiotic Resistance").
Far too often, antibiotics are prescribed while someone has a viral infection, even if a bacterial infection is not present. This is done just in case a viral infection leads to a bacterial infection, even if it's not needed. This practice only contributes to the overuse and unecessary use of antibiotics thus, our growing resistance. This problem isn't one recognized or talked about much, but it's a pressing issue that needs addressing as many medical advancements rely on the use of antibiotics. If our bodies are becoming resistant to them, no medical advancements or cures will be made or discovered.
Some think the solution is stronger antibiotics and some believe the solution is halting the overusage of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. I believe that we've relied on the use of antibiotics for so long now, that we should stop thinking of them as a quick fix. They are powerful medicines that shouldn't be used to get rid of such common ailments that our bodies are perfectly capable of fighting off on our own. We need to stop the overusage of antibiotics and unecessary prescriptions being made so that we don't become resistant to the revolutionary medicines that have saved lives.
I do not believe that we should stop using antibiotics all together as they are a very helpful tool, I just believe we should only use them when necessary and when absolutely necessary.
What do you believe is the solution to this issue?
Do you believe that antibiotics are overused?
Replies
Good topic choice and well done overall Sophie! You replied back very well but you only replied back on two different days(instrad of three) and most of those were done yesterday(the 25th). Next time, spread it out over three days.
I completely agree. Not only will they probably become ineffective to us, but they're also not great on your body. My sister is very prone to ear infections and every time she goes to the doctors they give her the same antibiotics, yet never look for a better long term solution . Although, they're amazing, we shouldn't squander them.
I think that it just depends on the person that is getting the antibiotics. Because some people aren't effected by the vaccinations that they are getting and it don't help them sometimes. But I think that sometimes it does help people that need it.
Antibiotics are all around us which is what is causing bacteria, germs, virus, ect to become resistent. We should start controlling the amounts that we use them in because this impacts heavily their resistance towards them. We should still use them but to a less degree.
I agree that we still need to use them, just not near as much as we are using them now. The way we are using them now is unhealthy and not helpful in the slightest bit to the issue.
I agree that we should not stop the use of antibiotics entirely. They could be used less, but they are really helpful with some sicknesses. But, overusing them can reduce their effectiveness because bacterias are evolving to resist the effect of antibiotics.
The overuse of them is making the bacteria evolve which is the whole problem here. I feel that if we simply just cut back on usage of antibiotics, the problem would decrease and they would work better for the things they were made to work for too.
I think that the solution is to dial back the use and prescription of antibiotics. I believe that antibiotics are indeed becoming more overused. People often even misuse antibiotics for things that do not need antibiotics.
I agree with you on this because they are being overused for unecessary purposes and that's why we have this problem.
I think we shouldn't completely get rid of antibiotics because it can really help people within some sicknesses/diseases. Antibiotics are a good thing for our doctors and health care workers to provide because it helps many people out and can help cure many people's sicknesses. However, some people do overuse antibiotics by using them for little things that could be treated by other things that didn't include those antibiotics. Also people can use antibiotics in the drug form and to hurt their bodies instead of helping the people out that are actually in need of them.
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