“The Antibiotic Tango: When You Want the Pill, But Your Body Says ‘Nah'”
Alright everyone, Dr. Dirk Perritt here, and let’s talk about antibiotics. They’re like the rock stars of medicine, right? When you’re feeling sick, sometimes that is all you want. And that’s understandable because we want you to get better, but here’s the tricky part: Sometimes, they are not the answer, and honestly, using antibiotics when they are not indicated is just not good for you and can actually harm you in the long run!
I know from my many years of practicing emergency medicine, it is not always easy to understand why we sometimes wont give antibiotics, and we want to explain our reasoning.
Acknowledging the Desire for Antibiotics
I get it, you’re not feeling good! You’re exhausted, miserable, and you just want something that will make it all go away. You think that you know what you need and you have been convinced that what you need is an antibiotic. And you know what, often antibiotics will work for bacterial infections. But here’s the catch: they don’t work for everything, and using them when you don’t need them can actually cause more harm than good! That feeling you are having is very real and understandable, and we want to make sure we are there for you, even if we can’t provide you what you think you need!
The Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Infections
The biggest challenge is that many of the symptoms of viral and bacterial infections are quite similar. But let’s be clear, they are totally different things. You see, antibiotics only work for infections that are caused by bacteria. They’re useless against viruses, which are responsible for most colds, the flu, and many other common illnesses. Think of it like using a hammer to try to screw in a nail – it’s just not the right tool for the job. It seems simple but it’s actually very complicated!
The Problem with Overusing Antibiotics
Here’s the thing, not only are antibiotics useless against viruses, but using them when you don’t need them can create antibiotic resistance! That’s when bacteria become resistant to medications that used to work, and that’s a big problem for all of us! Also, when using an antibiotic we may kill of the good bacteria in your gut and that can also cause symptoms such as diarrhea. In fact, over 30% of antibiotics prescribed are unnesscary and not helpful! We want you to get better, but we don’t want to cause more harm!
Why Doctors Might Not Prescribe Antibiotics
So, when a provider tells you that you have a virus and that you do not need an antibiotic we are actually doing what is best for you! It’s not because we don’t care, or that we don’t want you to feel better! Here’s the truth:
The Power of Supportive Care and Patience
Often times, the best medicine for a viral infection is simply time, rest, and support. We want to make sure that you are drinking fluids, managing your symptoms with over-the-counter medications, and taking it easy while your body recovers.
When Antibiotics Are Needed: The Clear Cases
However, we do understand that when you do need antibiotics you need to get them! If your symptoms are consistent with a bacterial infection (such as a UTI, strep throat, or bacterial pneumonia) or if you have a severe infection or underlying health condition, then we will happily prescribe antibiotics to help you. The most important factor is that we want to make sure you have the right treatment for your specific condition. We are here to help get you what you need, but not to give you what you don’t need!
The Bottom Line: Partnership in Health
We want you to know that it’s not us vs. you. We are on the same team, working together to get you feeling better as safely and as quickly as possible. So, if we tell you that you don’t need antibiotics, it’s because we truly believe that it’s the best thing for you. It’s not about denying you something; it’s about getting you the right thing. We are your partner in health, not your adversary!
We understand that it can be frustrating to not get the answer you are hoping for, but we also want to be able to educate you about when antibiotics are truly indicated. If we can help you understand this process, we can work together towards a better outcome!
“Have more questions about antibiotics? Tap into Tap Telehealth today and let us help you better understand your health!”
