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Antibiotics. Helping us to reduce their use.
This subject is controversial because resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a worldwide problem and the more antibiotics we use the bigger this resistance problem will be. Antibiotics are frequently used as lifesaving drugs. We cannot do without them. The problem is that they are used most often for conditions that cause discomfort rather than serious infections that kill us.

Doctors prescribe antibiotics because they want to to the best for their patients and help them to recover as quickly as possible from their illnesses. . Sometimes antibiotics will save life, but mostly the benefits are small. In most cases patients will get better perfectly well without antibiotics, but it might take a little longer. And if we do give antibiotics, only some  patients will benefit, but we do not know in advance which particular ones!

It is the responsibility of all of us to reduce antibiotic usage. It cannot simply be left to doctors. If somebody comes to see us with an infection, we assume it is because they want to get better as fast as possible. This often means prescribing antibiotics because they might help (although we would not prescribe them if we knew  they would not help).

How can you patients help?

1. By understanding that there are two main types of harmful micro-organisms (germs), bacteria and viruses, and that only bacteria are killed by antibiotics.
Viruses are unaffected by antibiotics but are responsible for most of the coughs, colds and sore throats that we get. It therefore follows that for colds and flu antibiotics are no help. But sometimes these viruses lead to complications in which bacteria also take a hold, and it is these complications that can sometimes be helped by antibiotics. That is why some people get antibiotics for colds and flu. Normal healthy people rarely get complications and therefore do not need antibiotics.

2. By wishing to avoid taking antibiotics.  Most patients who come to see us with severe (you wouldn't come with a mild one we hope!) coughs and colds and sore throats hope they will be given a prescription for antibiotics. They say things like:- 
"Do you think antibiotics might help doctor?" To which the only honest answer we can sometimes give is "Probabaly not much, do you still want a prescription?" To which most people reply "Yes please".  
Why not try a different attitude to antibiotics? Why not say "Do you think I will get better without antibiotics doctor?" To which we will usually reply "Yes". Then you should look pleased and say "Thank goodness for that doctor".