Doctors tell the general public through the media not to take antibotics for the flu and similar viral infection diseases. Because antibiotics are effective against bacteria but are ineffective against viruses. Moreover, taking antibiotics for viral infections kill useful bacteria and create resistance in the body against antibiotics. This basic knowledge is explained in even 4th grade science book at primary school level. We can find it explained in any family health encyclopedia and health pages of newspapers write it so often.
Despite this many people don't know this and take antibiotics any time they have the flu and / or are coughing, having a running nose and a fever. However, what I protest against is that the very doctors who preach publicly that it is wrong to take antibiotics for viral infections prescribe them for their patients who have a sore throat from a viral infection flu. On many occasions when I took my kids with coughs and a sore throat to a throat, nose and ear specialist or to a pediatrician, they prescribed antibiotics right away after diagnosing with the flu or upper airway infection. They do it regularly with most of their patients in contradiction with their public preachings. Most patients do not question this because they are unaware that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
However, I questioned the doctors each time. Sometimes they were surprised that the patient knew that antibiotics were ineffective against viruses. Sometimes they said they were prescribing antibiotics as a preventive measure against bacterial infection because it may develop in addition to viral infections. I did not buy these explanations because nowhere did they say this in their public preachings nor does any health encyclopedia say this.
So why do so many doctors often prescribe antibiotics for viral flu and similar diseases ? One allegation that I have read in the press several times is that pharmaceutical companies reward doctors with commissions at certain percentages over the amounts they prescribe. Sale of antibiotics would plummet if they were prescribed for bacterial infections only. This is not my claim, and I don't think all doctors are corrupt enough to do this. Still I do not understand why they often prescribe antibiotics for viral infections against which they are ineffective. Does anybody know ?
