The overuse of antibiotics is one of the biggest problems we face today. We are now in the perilous situation of being unable to treat simple infections. Many bacteria are immune to penicillins and other regular antibiotics , and doctors are relying on, what are viewed as, antibiotics of last resort. The problem has come about because of over-prescribing by doctors. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, they are no use against viruses, but patients sometimes demand them. However the long-term use of antibiotics in farm animals has also greatly contributed to the problem; they have been used for decades as a preventative, to promote growth.
Pharmaceutical companies have not been investing in discovering new types of antibiotics, because it has not been commercially worthwhile. We ought to avoid taking antibiotics, unless it is absolutely necessary. The doctor will know when they ought to be given, and when you will recover without them.
