Moms Should Stop Asking For Antibiotics

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday, 9/17/03 that the government has a new strategy for reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics: Try to persuade mothers to stop pestering pediatricians to write prescriptions for runny noses. Health officials have already hammered on doctors to quit dispensing antibiotics in situations where they are practically guaranteed not to work, such as common colds. "Doctors, like everybody else, like to please their patients," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "If a patient comes in with strong expectations, it is tempting - and takes less time - to write the prescription for antibiotics." And that, virtually everyone agrees, is not a good thing. Overuse of antibiotics has led to the evolution of germs that are resistant to standard medicines, such as penicillin. Anyone who has recently taken antibiotics has an increased risk of coming down with a resistant infection. Antibiotics kill bacteria. They do nothing against viruses, which cause the common cold, among other things. Most of these common viruses cannot be cured with any drug. Yet, many people expect, or demand, an antibiotic if they feel under the weather, even if their illness is clearly viral. Doctors often oblige, because it is easier than arguing.

The Bottom Line

Again the news is that fewer drugs might be a good idea. How many times will we have to hear about how the prescribed drug problem has gotten out of hand? How many times will the public complain about the high cost of drugs yet line up to get the latest, most expensive ones only to be told later that they either do not work or cause more harm than good? When will the public exercise it's responsibility to promote health?