A prominent medical expert’s page has issued a warning against the unnecessary use and prescription of antibiotics. This alert comes in response to a recent case in which a patient, initially diagnosed with influenza, was given antibiotics and subsequently experienced stomach pain and diarrhea. The incident, reported today by the Hospital Tales page, disclosed an X-ray showing excessive gas in the patient’s abdomen as a result of unnecessary antibiotic usage.
The patient, previously diagnosed with influenza a week earlier, had been prescribed the antibiotic Augmentin. After a week of taking the antibiotic, the patient developed diarrhea and stomach pain. An X-ray revealed an accumulation of gas in the patient’s abdomen, a symptom of excessive antibiotic use.
Typically, the human intestines host beneficial bacteria, known as commensal bacteria, which help maintain the body’s equilibrium. However, the consumption of antibiotics, particularly broad-spectrum ones, can eradicate these beneficial bacteria. This can lead to the proliferation of disease-causing bacteria and result in illnesses, as seen in this case with abnormal symptoms.
Interestingly, even though the patient had a confirmed diagnosis of influenza, antibiotics were still administered. This scenario is a common occurrence where patients request antibiotics for symptoms like coughing and a sore throat, which are often indicative of the common cold and do not necessitate antibiotics. Convincing them otherwise can require lengthy explanations, as reported by KhaoSod.
Additionally, many doctors are not confident enough to refrain from prescribing antibiotics. Some do so out of habit, lack of awareness, or to avoid conflicts with patients who insist on receiving them. Therefore, it is crucial not only to advise the public against unnecessary antibiotic consumption but also to encourage doctors to avoid unnecessary prescriptions.
For some time, Thai medical experts have been cautioning against the overuse of antibiotics. They emphasize that these medications are frequently prescribed, sometimes without genuine necessity, by doctors in the country.
