Dr. Kevin Kavanagh got up one morning with an aching throat and also felt weak. He did what a lot of us would perform in that scenario: go to the doctor. He informed the health facility to buy him a throat culture to eliminate strep. His thinking was that if he really did not have strep, he would certainly not take an antibiotic that would make him much more susceptible to a more significant infection such as C.diff. Paradoxically, the day before he had participated in a meeting on antibiotic immune microorganisms. Dr. Kavanagh got excellent information: his examination results were adverse for strep.
However his doctor recommended he take prescription antibiotics anyhow. This suggestion didn’t make good sense to Kevin, additionally a medical professional, as well as his mind was still fresh on the subject of antibiotic resistance. Said Kevin, “I understood that I should not take an antibiotic needlessly and also I most absolutely ought to not take the wrong antibiotic for an aching throat.” Feeling as well sick to suggest with the doctor, Kevin walked away with a prescription in his hand wondering exactly how it should be for people in a similar circumstance. In the end, he chose not to fill the prescription. His sore throat improved by itself in a few days.
What would you have done if your physician suggested you unnecessary or doubtful antibiotics? As individuals, it can be tough to challenge our physicians however it is essential to be informed and question your doctor if you feel their suggestions isn’t right. Before your next physician visit, make sure to have a look at Customer Reports’ helpful (and also cost-free) overviews on suitable antibiotic use. Antibiotic resistance is a prevalent issue brought on by overuse and misuse of anti-biotics in healthcare settings as well as animal farms. Consumers Union is working hard to make sure we maintain antibiotics helping people that truly need them.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh’s antibiotic story was included in JAMA Internal Medicine’s series Much less is More. A participant of Consumers Union’s Safe Person Task network, Kevin is the board chairman of the Kentucky-based nonprofit Health Watch U.S.A. as well as publishes regular monthly newsletters on person safety and security. You can review his latest op-ed on hospital positions in the Kentucky Herald-Leader below.