Antibiotics
Are Antibiotics always the best solution?
Good morning. This is Dr. Joe Cincotta. We live in a time where we benefit from many advances in the treatment of infections. Some advances have been improved public health practices and careful attention to basic things like regular hand-washing. Others have been through technological innovations in the area of antibiotics. But with these advances have come other challenges with the emergence of more resistant infections. And, this has taught us the importance of the need for careful and appropriate use of antibiotics. We have become so accustomed to these antibiotics that we have come to think that they will treat every infection and every illness. This is not the case. There are many infections for which antibiotics are not indicated, and where their use only serves to promote more resistant infections. So, the next time you go to the doctor’s office and are told that you do not need an antibiotic, please keep this in mind. Sometimes the best medicine is time, rest, and even some chicken soup – and not antibiotics. Thank you.