Overuse of Antibiotics

At least one out of every three antibiotic prescriptions is unnecessary. The majority of the antibiotics that are unnecessary are those that are prescribed for viral infections that can not be treated with antibiotics. Some of these viral infections include: viral sore throats, the common cold, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. The impact of the overprescription of antibiotics is bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. This is dangerous because antibiotics can be life saving for infections that require the treatment of antibiotics. Antibiotics can also be harmful to your health. The harmful impacts of overprescribing are: antibiotic associated diarrhea, tendon rupture, Long QT syndrome, colitis, renal compromise, and allergic reactions. There is also the potential to cause increased asthma, increased obesity, mental health effects, and an impaired immune system.

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