Antibiotics are known as a miracle drug, but their side effects can be life-threatening.
When antibiotics were introduced in the 1940's, the miracle drug drastically reduced both the severity and number of deaths and illnesses. There are more than 100 types of antibiotics. The most well-known being tetracycline, amoxicillin, azithromycin, and erythromycin. Each is designed to fight certain types of infections. Antibiotics typically kill bacteria or prevent it from reproducing. However, antibiotics can't fight viral infections such as upper respiratory infections, flu, colds, allergies, or earaches. What doctors often don't mention is the fact that antibiotics kill good bacteria along with the bad.
The Pros of Antibiotics:
-Antibiotics are highly effective
It can be used to cure a variety of illnesses from simple to complicated diseases. Antibiotics can even be used to treat infections such as tonsillitis and pneumonia.
-Spectrum antibiotics
There are both narrow and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Narrow spectrum antibiotics can be used to combat a particular type of bacteria or microbe. Broad-spectrum antibiotics can be used to treat diseases even if the type of bacteria causing the disease is unknown.
-Preventive measure
Antibiotics can be used as a preventative measure in cases such as AIDS patients to prevent pneumonia and other bacterial diseases.
-Easy to administer
Antibiotics come in a variety of packagings, such as capsules, tablets, ear drops, or injections.
The Cons of Antibiotics:
Despite the many pros of antibiotics, there are some consequences attached to them as well. The main cons being the number of potential side effects. The side effects can range in severity from minor (a short bout of diarrhea, mild rashes, skin irritations) to life-threatening reactions (anaphylactic shock being one of many).
-Retinal damage
-Stomach pain
-Bad rash
-Respiratory issues
-Heart palpations
-Compromised kidney function
-Joints swelling
-Nausea and vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Tendinitis
-A bad sore throat
-Anaphylaxis
One of the more serious allergic reactions caused by antibiotics is anaphylaxis. This reaction leads to vomiting, headaches, shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue and throat, rashes, and itchiness. It can also lead to death.
-Development of a resistance
One of the biggest cons of using antibiotics includes the development of resistance in bacteria against a specific antibiotic. It typically happens if we overuse antibiotics or if we do not take them for the proper duration. This can cause some of the bacteria to remain alive in the body.
Do the pros outweigh the cons? How will you start or stop using antibiotics?
