What is Antibiotic-Resistance

Antibiotics are the medicines used in fighting infections that are caused by bacteria in humans and animals. They are known to destroy or slow down the growth of the bacteria. Bacteria are germs, that live in the environment, in the insides, and outside our body. Although most bacteria are harmless and can be helpful to people, there are some that cause infections, such as strep throat, whooping cough, and urinary tract infection.

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, but they do not work on conditions that are caused by viruses, such as:

• Influenza
• Stomach flu
• Cough and runny noses
• Most cases of sore throat (except strep throat)
• Most cases of chest colds (except bronchitis)

There are also cases of common bacterial infections where antibiotics are not needed, because these illnesses go away on their own without the need for antibiotics, including some cases of:

• Sinus infections
• Ear infections

Antibiotics are needed and important in treating bacterial infections, but you must remember that taking antibiotics irresponsibly has side effects and can cause antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance happens when antibiotics are overused, not used as prescribed, or used without prescription.

Over the years, cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have greatly increased. And it can result to:

• Longer recovery from illnesses
• This can lead to a more serious illness
• More frequent or longer hospital stay
• More expensive treatments

Antibiotic resistance happens when an antibiotic suddenly stops working or becomes less effective in treating an illness. When this happens, those who have weakened immune systems, such as older people, may develop a more serious bacterial infection. You won’t know that you have become antibiotic-resistant until it’s too late and you need to be treated but no antibiotic can cure you and you become sicker.

There is a certain strain of bacteria where they have adapted to the medicines that typically kill them. They fight back against the drugs and they continue to multiply and cause infection even though they are already treated with antibiotics.

Always make sure that you are taking antibiotics as needed, and as prescribed. Never take antibiotics on your own and without a prescription from your medical provider. Never allow yourself to develop antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your body. They become very hard to kill and very hard to treat because there will be fewer antibiotics that are effective against them.

Antibiotic resistance is starting to become a worldwide health problem. In the United States alone, there are more or less 3 million Americans that have developed drug-resistant bacteria.

Always consult your medical provider first before taking antibiotics. If you feel under the weather, especially when you develop an infection, never self-medicate. At Doral Health and Wellness, we have a family doctor that can help you. For more information, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries. We have the best primary care doctor in Brooklyn to provide you with the best comprehensive medical care and health care services.