Here is a question that I have regarding information that I suspect is a Big Pharma fairy tale.
I've had bronchitis twice in my lifetime. It happened at around the same time of year for two years in a row. Both times people (including friends, doctors and an individual who was a former medical student) told me that I should take antibiotics for it because if I don't, I could get pneumonia.
Here is my question: If bronchitis is a viral infection and pneumonia is bacterial, how would I stand the chance of getting one from the other?
Again, I admit that I have my suspicions, but I would still love to hear an explanation for this.
It's a money making business and medicine is simply a practice. That's why it's called "practicing medicine". Bronchitis can be either bacterial or viral. The physician should have done blood work on you to determine the cause - bacterial or viral. The antibiotic isn't going to help with the viral.
ReplyDeleteEither way, to boost your immune system can't hurt!!
ReplyDeleteDani, I couldn't agree with you more! Healthcare in this county is often treated like a business. It's very sad and very, very true.
ReplyDeleteMr. or Ms. Anonymous; I agree with you as well. When we are sick, boosting the immune system is always the way to go. Taking antibiotics, however, will never be a way to boost the immune system. In fact, unfortunately it partially breaks the immune system down. Probiotics in our system IS a part of our immune system. Often it is part of our first line of defense; antibiotics KILL them along with the bacterial monsters. I'm not saying to never take them, however, they are often unnecessarily prescribed such as when they are prescribed for bronchitis.
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