Sully
February 15th, 2006, 10:11 PM
When adults complain about sore throat, doctors prescribe antibiotics, so says a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study found that during a 10-year period doctors prescribed antibiotics for sore throat in 73 percent of the cases. Patients usually request antibiotics.
But here are the facts:
* A virus, not bacteria, most likely caused your sore throat. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, so they probably didn't cause your recovery.
* Taking antibiotics for viruses contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a problem with potentially dire consequences to public health and your own health.
* Antibiotics are useful against strep throat, but the condition, which is easily identifiable, is
The study found that during a 10-year period doctors prescribed antibiotics for sore throat in 73 percent of the cases. Patients usually request antibiotics.
But here are the facts:
* A virus, not bacteria, most likely caused your sore throat. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, so they probably didn't cause your recovery.
* Taking antibiotics for viruses contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a problem with potentially dire consequences to public health and your own health.
* Antibiotics are useful against strep throat, but the condition, which is easily identifiable, is