Doctors Take Measures To Prevent Antibiotics Overdose

Getting antibiotics this year could be a challenge at your doctor's office. Doctors are being told to prescribe antibiotics only when absolutely necessary.

As more and more people get sick, many believe that antibiotics are the answer for pretty much everything. However, doctors say viruses, like the flu, can't be cured with antibiotics and prescribing the drugs could be doing more harm than good.

Doctors say it's important to remember that most coughs, runny noses, and sore throats are caused by viruses. The American College of Physicians is now working with the CDC to cut down on prescribing antibiotics for common respiratory infections. They say about 50 percent of antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary.

“The goal of this is to prevent antibiotic overuse, which can cause antibiotic resistance, which is literally killing people in this country,” said Dr. Janette Nesheiwat. CityMD.

“I want to make sure that when I’m really sick, my body will be able to fight it off and the antibiotics will be able to help,” 24-year-old patient Mackenzie Meyer said.

The new recommendations include prescribing antibiotics only when strep is confirmed, for sinus infections that last more than 10 days or if severe symptoms last three days .

Experts also found that people with sinus infections experience more side effects than benefits from antibiotics.