In a study conducted by CDC researchers, U.S. doctors are prescribing enough antibiotics to give them to four out of five Americans each year. This alarmingly high level of prescribing antibiotics suggests that they are being widely overused. For children, this over usage could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This has resulted in some pediatricians leading the way in cutting down on antibiotic usage by making recommendations to parents to use preventative strategies like giving children’s vitamins to keep children healthy.
The most frequently prescribed antibiotic is azithromycin which is commonly used to treat upper respiratory infections. However, most colds and flus, which have respiratory symptoms, can be treated with over-the-counter remedies such as pain-relievers and decongestants. Preventative strategies, such as regular hand-washing, a balanced diet, adequate rest, flu shots, and children’s multivitamins, can go a long way towards minimizing a child’s chance of getting sick in the first place.
During the swine flu pandemic of 2009 and 2010, children with flu-related pneumonia were widely treated with antibiotics to prevent serious complications. While this was a smart medical decision, preventing flu transmission would have been even more effective and would have minimized the overuse of antibiotics that may eventually lead to the development of even more serious viruses.
Interestingly, the highest rates of antibiotic usage were found to be in the South and Appalachia. The lowest rates were found in Alaska, Oregon, and California. As more is learned about the overuse of antibiotics, new protocols that are rolled out worldwide will certainly be developed to help doctors, as well as patients, determine when antibiotics are or aren’t needed. In the meantime, taking a proactive stance with children’s multivitamins and other preventative strategies may just be the best response to this growing problem.
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