The State Medical Society of Wisconsin's Doctor Jeff Young says one out of four of these germs is at least somewhat resistant to antibiotics. Doctor Young, a Green Bay pediatrician, says that bug is a leading cause of ear infection, sinus infection and pneumonia in children and adults. So right there, you have an amazing amount of infectious disease that is caused by one organism. Doctor Young says these bugs become resistant to antibiotics when the medicine is taken unnecessarily. For example, sore throat, runny nose and cough are usually the result of a virus, which antibiotics can't fight.
Antibiotics only work against bacteria.
So Doctor Young recommends waiting out a cold rather than taking medicine that won't help you. With the State Medical Society's On-Air Health Care report, I'm Steve Busalacchi.