I read somewhere that a Londoner with a sore throat will be highly likely to be advised by the doctor to take Vitamin C, a groggy and three days of rest at home, while for the very same symptoms, a patient will propose to the Parisian doctor who prescribes an antibiotic. It is true that at present is given increasing attention in medical studies to the rational use of medication (including self-medication practices) but this is disproportionate to what the doctor learned in their university education about antibiotics and their modes of limitation.

What is public knowledge that the bacteria learned to survive, to resist the deadly power or inhibitor of this "family" of drugs. Science, understandably, is showing signs of apprehension, since it was in a vicious circle between five and ten years after the appearance of a new antibiotic, the bacteria become accustomed to living with the medicine and this, by becoming ineffective, requires are discovered and market increasingly potent antibiotics.

There should be given great importance to have more bacteria in the gut and intestinal cells in which human body. In addition, pharmaceutical companies do not take into account that bacteria tend to your own balance may be a process of indiscriminate destruction. One example is the outbreak of fungal infections, due to the disruption that occurs in the ecology of the intestinal flora.

So in this text is intended to alert users of health not to resort to self-medication with regard to antibiotics.

What are antibiotics?

Insist that there is nothing abnormal with the billions of bacteria that inhabit our gut, without them we would not have the intestinal flora that allows proper digestion of food. But there are a multitude of bacteria which can lead to bacterial diseases (case of ear infections, abscesses, or infections due to injury). These diseases and infections are the result of a conflict between pathogenic bacteria and the natural defense mechanisms of the body. The role of antibiotics eventually is to replace the support and defense mechanisms weakened when they show, for example, bacteriostatic antibiotic preventing said microbes from multiplying.

Initially, the antibiotics were composed of natural fungi, at present are manufactured from synthetic substances or semisynthetic. Antibiotics appear divided into different classes, that is to say they have their own characteristics. It is the spectrum of an antibiotic which determines the degree of selectivity. The wider the range, the more antibiotic attacks a large number of bacteria, pathogenic or useful (ie, a broad spectrum antibiotic is not selective). We thus have the following classes, which are presented in order of decreasing selectivity:

• macrolides, suitable for respiratory infections and skin tissues and bone, are generally little toxic drugs, but may appear associated with gastric disorders, there is the risk of pooling of certain macrolide with the contraceptive pill, that can trigger jaundice;
• penicillin and cephalosporin are broad spectrum antibiotics, suitable for infections of the skin (boils and abscesses), upper respiratory, urinary and gynecological, this class of antibiotics is generally well tolerated, however, there is the risk of allergic reaction or diarrhea;
• tetracycline are broad-spectrum antibiotics also indicate that for certain breathing problems or infections of the digestive and urinary systems, among the side effects stand out: the alteration of intestinal flora and gastrointestinal disturbances or even photosensitization, are absolutely contraindicated for pregnant, breastfeeding and children under 8 years (there is the risk of being deposited at cartilage and teeth);
• The antibiotic chloramphenicol is a very wide spectrum, when used incorrectly, can cause severe damage to the bone structure.

We need more precise information to consumers

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives. It is thanks to them that dramatically decreased the number of serious or fatal infections which can occur during surgical interventions, among other situations. Only the intensive use of these drugs has led to the appearance of phenomena of resistance. The pharmaceutical industry has sought to respond to this escalation commercializing new products.

We are therefore in an area of health care should focus on which specific aspects of consumer information. Above all, having regard to side effects. The broad spectrum antibiotics which attack a large number of different bacteria useful to alter the flora of the intestines, which can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Comes this set of observations on that one should categorically reject the self-medication with antibiotics, regardless talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the safety precautions in the use of antibiotics. It is the use of these drugs is only justified when it is clear a bacterial infection. Only the doctor is able to make a diagnosis, prescribing the class of antibiotics and their dosage. The pharmacist may have an advisory role and interpretation. You can, for example, to clarify that, though not to take antibiotics as a precautionary measure, there are cases, however, that the doctor may recommend its use when they suspect an infection may have serious consequences.

They get here are some basic recommendations to users:

• read the leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist any clarification: when and how the medicine, how long, what are the possible side effects and drug interactions, etc..;
• inform the physician in the event of a situation has already been allergy another antibiotic;
• strictly following the prescribed dose and not stop even if you feel cured (it may well be the case of all microbes are not neutralized);
• if the user takes the contraceptive pill, you should discuss it with your doctor as some antibiotics are contraindicated.