[image: bbc.co.uk]

I am sick with a cough. I tried antibiotics but they didn’t work. My doctor said you can’t take antibiotics too much. Like, if you finish a course of antibiotics, then you can’t take the same antibiotics again because your bacteria is too smart the second time around.

And THEN, I was doing some reading that said antibiotics aren’t always that good for you. I had no idea, and now I’m really worried. I want to stop coughing, and when you go to the doctor, you just want to feel better and you just go ahead and do what they say you should, but it’s not always the best thing. So, for those of you who want to know, here is information on why you should be careful when using antibiotics.

1. Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics if you overuse them.

2. Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics if you don’t finish the complete course that your doctor prescribes.

3. Sometimes people don’t need antibiotics but they get prescribed them anyways. Antibiotics are good for getting rid of bacteria but not for getting rid of viruses. So if you have the flu, that’s viral and  you  don’t need antibiotics.

4. Antibiotics can’t tell the difference between good bacteria and bad bacteria. Some bacterias are good for you, like the ones that help you to digest your food or defend you against outside infections. So, if you take antibiotics and kill those off, then you are more likely to get sick again!

5. Antibiotics are foriegn to your body and sometimes keep your body from healing itself. If you take antibiotics, then your immune system doesn’t need to improve, because you aren’t letting it.

So, sometimes the best way to get better really is to just drink lots of fluids and rest.  Sigh…

Elodie xoxoxo