Food policies proposed by the Clinton administration this past March would regulate the use of antibiotics in farm animals. If implemented, Organic Food Production Act would not go into effect until 2002. Things that we unknowingly do in everyday life may also be responsible for antibiotics losing their effect. Do not ask your doctor for antibiotics to treat the flu or a cold. These illnesses are caused by viruses.
Antibiotics only kill bacteria.
A study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately 50 million of the 150 million outpatient prescriptions for antibiotics dispensed each year are unnecessary. Don't pressure your doctor into giving you unnecessary medicine. Many people stop taking antibiotics before they have destroyed the infection. When this happens, the surviving bacteria develop resistance so that the medicine won't kill them anymore. Most people have to take their medicine for 7-10 days or more, even if they feel better on day 3.