Diseases such as gonorrhea, malaria, tuberculosis and childhood
ear infections are becoming more and more immune to the effects
of antibiotics. Bacteria have also become increasingly resistant
to some of the most powerful medicines.
Some of the reasons behind the decreasing affect of antibiotics
include over prescribing, taking antibiotics unnecessarily and doctors
prescribing powerful antibiotics to their patients when a milder
antibiotic was just as effective. These types of practice could
render stronger medications vulnerable to resistance in the future
and could ultimately strip doctors of access to a disease-fighting
weapon.
Changing Attitudes of Doctors
Doctors' views toward antibiotics have gradually been changing
and there have been more instances of doctors approaching the prescribing
of antibiotics with a more rational thought process. Doctors are
also increasingly realizing that the more antibiotics are prescribed,
the higher the likelihood they will become resistant to certain
bacteria.
Fighting bacteria has become a huge issue within the country's
hospitals. The multitude of procedures performed daily at hospitals
make them highly susceptible to infections.
Washington
Times June 22, 2004
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