According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotics are prescribed in 68% of acute respiratory tract visits, and of those, 80% are unnecessary.  Eighty percent!  Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world's most pressing public health problems, and it's reasons like this that we are all in trouble.  Respiratory illnesses include sinus infection, sore throat, common cold, runny nose, ear infection and bronchitis.  And it's that time of year when everyone is coming down with something!  Most of these types of infections fall under the viral category.  Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viral.  Why in the world are so many trained doctors prescribing antibiotics?  It's so frustrating!

Over prescribing antibiotics compromises the effectiveness of the medicine.  In situations that the body actually needs them, bacterias have built up such a strong resistance to the medicine, that the most commonly prescribed antibiotics are no longer working.  This is dangerous!  Common infections that were once easily treatable with antibiotics fail to work any more.  Listen up parents - children are of particular concern because they have the highest rates of antibiotic use.

I'm sure you are wondering what you can do to protect yourself and your family?  First be sure to openly talk to your doctor about antibiotic resistance.  Double check with them whenever they prescribe you an antibiotic.  Make sure they feel it is absolutely necessary.  Educate yourself on when antibiotics do work and what to do to treat your illness if antibiotics won't work.  The CDC has a bunch of great information and tips on their website about this, check it out here.  And of course, you can always visit an acupuncturist for the treatment of any viral infection.  Acupuncture stops the infection from progressing and shortens it's duration.