How can you know if you or your children suffer from an infection that’s treatable with antibiotics? Here are some ideas that are personal to me, and that came out of discussions between colleagues, not to be taken literally but rather to raise questions.
The option of antibiotics treatment should be considered particularly when:
- In the presence of a bacterial infection.
- A doctor recommends this option after a medical consultation (always trust a doctor first, even if it means asking him a ton of questions or getting a second opinion, instead of rejecting this solution entirely.)
- The person has a persistent fever; his/her health is deteriorating or in a state showing no sign of improvement and sparking concerns (a medical consultation is then required)
- There is an infection that was successfully treated with antibiotics previously.
- In the presence of a set of clinical signs (hence the importance of relying on a doctor) where the proven treatment is antibiotics.
Medical history
Another point to consider is the patient’s health before he got sick. In my opinion, this should be the basis to any reflection. Healthy people have an immune system designed specifically to fight harmful agents. They are better equipped to fight infections effectively and will thus have fewer severe symptoms. However, children, elderly people and adults with a weaker immune system are not as “strong” when it comes to fighting infections. In these cases, the use of antibiotics is more frequent, indicated and systematic.
The most important thing to remember from this article is: be alert, ask questions and keep a certain balance by avoiding extreme positions. Despite all that’s been written about the subject, it is important to be able to make your own opinion and educate yourself to avoid getting away from the main topic: your health!
