Current trend in the use of antibiotics for treatment of ailments
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Discuss the current trend in the use of antibiotics for treatment of ailments such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and pharyngitis, the practice implications, and possible health outcomes from their use
Sample Solution
The use of antibiotics for various ailments such as sinusitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis has become a current trending topic due to the increasing emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. This issue is particularly concerning in developing countries where access to proper medical care may be limited meaning that individuals often resort to taking antibiotics without consulting physician (Chen et al., 2019).
However, this practice is problematic because many times infections are caused by viruses rather than bacterial agents; in these cases taking an antibiotic will not help alleviate symptoms since they only target bacteria cells and not viral ones (Rosenstein & Perkins 2017). This leads to potential adverse effects from incorrect usage including stomach upset, nausea & vomiting which can actually worsen the underlying condition if a person continues using the medication unnecessarily.
Additionally, there is also a growing concern about antibiotic overuse leading to development of drug resistant “superbugs” since it reduces effectiveness when used to treat more serious conditions like hospital acquired infections. To combat this problem it is important for physicians/patients alike to understand how important judicious prescribing antibiotic really is – i.e., using them only when absolutely necessary (Rosenstein & Perkins 2017).
Ultimately then it seems that current trend towards widespread usage of antibiotics needs to stop in order to protect public health from further contamination due to resistance caused by inappropriate use. By properly educating both healthcare workers and patients about the importance of responsible administration, we can ensure future generations benefit from their lifesaving properties while minimizing any hazardous consequences that improper consumption might lead to.
The current trend in the use of antibiotics for treatment of ailments such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and pharyngitis is to limit their use when possible. This is due to an increase in antibiotic resistance from overuse and misuse of these medications. In most cases, the infections are caused by viruses and would not respond to antibiotics anyway. Therefore it is important to clearly diagnose the cause of infection before prescribing antibiotics. If a bacterial infection has been determined, then judicious use of antibiotics can be prescribed tailored to the specific type and strain causing the infection.
From a practice perspective, this means that doctors should be careful not to overprescribe or prescribe incorrectly when faced with patients complaining about sinusitis, bronchitis or pharyngitis related symptoms. Diagnostic tests should be done first before considering any antibiotic therapy if there is suspicion that bacteria may be causing the infection – otherwise only symptomatic relief should be provided until diagnosis can be established . It also means providing patient education on proper usage and storage instructions for any prescribed medications so that they do not contribute further to antibiotic resistance through inappropriate self-medication or disposal.
