Antibiotics are medicines that help fight infections caused by bacteria. They are very important because they can save lives. However, using antibiotics too often can cause problems. One problem with using antibiotics too much is antibiotic resistance. This means that bacteria get used to the medicine and the medicine stops working. When this happens, it becomes harder to treat infections.  Also, our bodies also have good bacteria that help us stay healthy, but antibiotics kill both bad and good bacteria. When the good bacteria are gone, it can cause problems like stomach aches and infections. Taking antibiotics can also cause side effects. These are unwanted changes in your body that can make you feel sick. Some common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions.

 

To keep antibiotics working, doctors only prescribe them when necessary. This is why antibiotics are not prescribed for things like severe allergy symptoms or viral illnesses. Using antibiotics only when necessary helps prevent antibiotic resistance and keeps good bacteria healthy. It’s important to take the medicine exactly as the doctor says and not share it with others. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, the infection might come back and be harder to treat.

 

Some people have underlying conditions that make them more at risk for needing antibiotics frequently. If you receive antibiotics more than a few times per year, there may be an underlying issue such as chronic allergies, chronic sinus disease, asthma, or immune deficiency causing the problem. Identifying the underlying issue can help get proper treatment to prevent infections from occurring. If you suffer from recurrent infections and need antibiotics often (more than 3-4 times per year) then you should discuss this with a board-certified allergist/immunologist who can help determine the underlying cause and recommend the best therapy for you!