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When Sir Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered the
germ-killing properties of "mold juice" from Penicillium
notatum in 1928, one of the early general-use antibiotics
was born--penicillin.
Penicillin, probably the most well-known antibiotic, uses
selective toxicity to target infections.
While antibiotics will help ear infections, strep throat,
and sinus infections, among others, antibiotics aren't the
answer for everything. Because the common cold, bronchitis,
most sore throats, and the flu are viruses, antibiotics
don't help. Antibiotics help fight only bacteria.
But oh, how you use those antibiotics. According to the
National Center for Health Statistics for 2000, 545 million
people, or 66.1 percent, who visit a physician's office do
so for medication therapy.
Antibiotics were revolutionary when they were introduced,
but today, people have fallen into the habit of depending on
antibiotics to cure them of almost everything. According to
a Harris Poll, while 89 percent of the American public knows
that colds and flu are caused by viruses--not bacteria--46
percent still believe that antibiotics are somewhat
effective.
Using antibiotics when it is not appropriate can diminish
antibiotics' effectiveness when they are needed.
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When to use antibiotics:
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Strep throat, not a sore throat
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Yes
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Bronchitis
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No
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Colds
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No
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Sinus infections, only if there is no
improvement in 10 to 14 days
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Yes
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Ear infections, check with your doctor
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Maybe
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For more information:
Listed above are several Web sites that offer additional
information on this topic. University of Iowa Health Care
does not sponsor or endorse these sites, or guarantee the
accuracy of the information contained on these sites. These
links are here for general information only, and should not
be used for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you have any
questions, please contact UI
Health Access.
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