One of the biggest issues in medicine is multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria. These have come about due to the over and incorrect use of antibiotics. Using serial antibiotics in the same patient is one way of developing resistant strains. Since bacteria can pass their drug resistance on to other (unrelated) bacteria that are around them, even if the infection you are treating is not a human pathogen, you may be selecting for resistance in bacteria that may be an issue for you and your family as well.
To help reduce the risk of drug resistance:
Do not use antibiotics unless there is a clear need for them - in some cases, such as where there has been a treatment failure, the medication should be based on a culture and sensitivity of the bacteria present. Remember that antibiotics are NOT effective against viruses, and some bacterial infections have a very limited number of abios that will work. Using ineffective ones just enhances antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics are non-specific in their action, and will kill beneficial bacteria the same as pathogens. This leaves an opening for pathogens that have not been killed off by the antibiotic to flourish without competition.
Always use the correct dose based on weight (don't just estimate), the correct interval (once/twice/three times daily) and for the minimum amount of time (10 days for most antibiotics). Skipping doses or stopping too soon just means you kill only the most susceptible bacteria, and leave resistant ones to thrive.
Since it is not (currently) illegal to use antibiotics on food animals, use them with great caution (if at all) to avoid putting yourself and your loved ones at risk.
To help reduce the risk of drug resistance:
Do not use antibiotics unless there is a clear need for them - in some cases, such as where there has been a treatment failure, the medication should be based on a culture and sensitivity of the bacteria present. Remember that antibiotics are NOT effective against viruses, and some bacterial infections have a very limited number of abios that will work. Using ineffective ones just enhances antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics are non-specific in their action, and will kill beneficial bacteria the same as pathogens. This leaves an opening for pathogens that have not been killed off by the antibiotic to flourish without competition.
Always use the correct dose based on weight (don't just estimate), the correct interval (once/twice/three times daily) and for the minimum amount of time (10 days for most antibiotics). Skipping doses or stopping too soon just means you kill only the most susceptible bacteria, and leave resistant ones to thrive.
Since it is not (currently) illegal to use antibiotics on food animals, use them with great caution (if at all) to avoid putting yourself and your loved ones at risk.
