Avoid Overusing Antibiotics

Richard Dobyns, M.D.
University of Iowa
Department of Family Medicine
First Published: 2003
Last Revised: October 2003
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

As a physician, one of my goals is to help patients become educated consumers of health care information. I recently saw an opportunity to inform people when I read about a report showing that people in Johnson County are using more antibiotics than the national average. Many of these antibiotic prescriptions are not necessary, and antibiotic overuse contributes to growing bacterial resistance. But what can an individual or parent do to avoid being part of this problem?

First, it is important to understand that antibiotics can treat only conditions that are caused by bacteria, not conditions caused by viruses. Bacteria cause ear infections, some sinus infections, strep throat and urinary tract infections. An easy way to remember what antibiotics target is A-B: Antibiotics kill Bacteria.

In contrast, antibiotics cannot kill viruses, which cause colds and flu as well as most coughs and sore throats. These illnesses need to run their course, but, understandably, waiting can be difficult.

Many people take themselves or a child to the doctor when cold symptoms last more than a week. However, extended colds do not respond to antibiotics. So patients would do well not to insist on a prescription if the doctor says antibiotics will not treat the symptoms. Your doctor can suggest over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat.

Certain conditions and patients are more likely to benefit from antibiotics. For instance, cold-like symptoms that include fatigue, excessive facial pain or profound difficulty breathing may need antibiotics. In addition, children with cold symptoms and a very painful ear may need an antibiotic prescription because it can be very difficult for a physician to tell whether the ear actually is infected.

The very young and the very old are more likely to benefit from antibiotics than people in other age groups because the young and old tend to have more bacterial than viral infections. Similarly, individuals on steroids or who have diabetes or immunodeficiency diseases such as HIV or cancer are not as able to ward off infection, so they also are more likely to benefit from antibiotics.

When it comes to antibiotics, talk openly with your doctor about whether you or your child actually needs a prescription. If you already are taking a course of antibiotics, then be absolutely sure to finish it. Stopping antibiotic treatment midway can cause you to develop resistant germs.

See related Patient Textbooks about Family Medicine.

See related Patient Topics Antibiotics, Family Medicine, Infections or Procedures and Therapies.

See related Provider Textbooks about Family Medicine.

See related Provider Topics Family Medicine, Infections or Procedures and Therapies.

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