Saudi Gazette Antibiotics are indeed useful in killing bacteria, but they also destroy the healthy bacteria that normally inhabits the intestines and ensures the health of the digestive system. In the absence of good bacteria, the body is more susceptible to contract potent infections. That is why physicians should use caution when handing out antibiotics and the average person should never self-prescribe antibiotics without consulting a doctor. Dr. Ayman Abd El-Sabour Abd El-Azim, a pediatrician at the International Medical Center in Jeddah, told the Saudi Gazette, “Excessive and repeated use of antibiotics can over time weaken the body's natural immune response. In addition, antibiotics destroy the naturally occurring healthy bacteria in the digestive system that plays a role in the body's defense system. And just like any other medication, antibiotics do have side effects so they should be used only when necessary.” A CNN medical report stated that the average person in the United States takes between 10 to 20 courses of antibiotics from early childhood until the age of 18 years. Although there are many situations when antibiotics are life saving, they should be used only when necessary and after determining the root cause of the infection. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections very well but are useless when it comes to viral infections. If one was treated for bacterial infection with antibiotics, one can repopulate his/her digestive tract with the healthy bacteria by increasing intake of yogurt and products with added live cultures of healthy bacteria such as acidophilus, bulgaricus, and bifidus, which are very beneficial and should be eaten during and after antibiotic treatment. They can also help prevent diarrhea that is commonly caused by antibiotic use. __
