SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENTAntibiotics
This winter, hospitalizations from COVID are far lower compared to January 2022, however many of us are still getting sick. In this newsletter I’ll provide tips to facilitate healing and stay healthy.
Use Antibiotics Judiciously
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one-third of antibiotic use in people is either not needed or not appropriate. While indicated for certain bacterial infections, antibiotics do not work on viruses.
A typical cold lasts roughly 7 to 10 days. Front-loading antibiotics soon after symptoms come on not only won’t kill a virus, it can make us sicker. Antibiotics can indeed save lives, however they also destroy the beneficial bacteria needed to protect against infection. What’s more, misuse of antibiotics promotes antibiotic resistance, making some infections untreatable.
When should one take antibiotics?
First and foremost, seek advice from your medical doctor when the question arises and use discretion. Recall that the typical cold lasts 7 to 10 days, so it is often best to give your body a chance to manage whatever bug has taken hold. Getting plenty of sleep, rest, and fluids can go a long way.
For a list of useful supplements and herbs, please refer to my past newsletters from 2018 and 2020 respectively:
