Overuse of Antibiotics

I remember when I was a new nurse practitioner and there wasn't as much known about the  consequences of overuse of antibiotics. Any person who came in with a little cold or flu walked out with a prescription for antibiotics. We thought we were doing the right thing. Now, we're much more judicious about who gets what antibiotics and when.  

As it is, many of the more dangerous bacteria have grown resistant to antibiotics.  You've probably heard of MRSA, Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus,  Now, experts are becoming alarmed about 3 more gram negative bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.  They are Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. 

So, the next time you go to see your health care provider and they tell you that you don't need an antibiotic, be grateful, this could ultimately save your life in years to come.