If I get a dollar for every time I’ve heard a parent say “my child has so and so symptoms AND I’ve used antibiotics for it but no changes” I will be stupendously rich!
Where did parents especially the Nigerians (yes we are the main culprits so this is for you my Nigerian parents) got the impression that once a child has any symptoms, all they need to use is antibiotics and all will be well!
I get it that we have lot of bacteria flying around living in hot and humid environment like ours and all the other excuses! That’s what they are excuses!!
We need to stop this now!!
STOP the antibiotics abuse!
I know it is not your fault! After all anyone can easily step into any shop or store in this country and buy any antibiotics as long as you can say the name! In saner climes, it is not like that. Go next door to Ghana and see if you can try it.
Hmmmm, due to some people’s desire to make money at all cost, they dispense with ethics that require a prescription by a doctor first! We even have non-medical professionals and some quack professionals selling antibiotics. Some even hawk them on the public buses! What a country!
You may think “what’s the big deal?” Google “antibiotics resistance” and see the dangers. It is an epidemic that we are not winning against. What that means is we are playing with fire – deaths from antibiotics-resistant bugs!!
When antibiotics are used when not necessary, the bugs develop resistance to them. When eventually the antibiotics are needed, they won’t work. We have seen so many cases that we don’t even have any medication that works again because of antibiotics resistance!
All you parents that give Augumentin and Zinnat like Pure water “Ampiclox and Amoxil are for the learners now”; this is the time for you to repent. May your kids not get that multi- drugs-resistant bugs! It can be fatal! You must stop today!!
Those of you that routinely give children antibiotics every 3months like worm medicine or vitamin C… More Power to your elbow!!
🤗 The day of reckoning coming soon.
My memo today is simple
1. Never use antibiotics except it is prescribed!
2. Use the right dose for the right duration prescribed by your doctor.
Not completing the course of antibiotics treatment is also as bad as using it without prescription ó.
Avoid antibiotics resistance at all cost.
Stop using antibiotics by self-medication (when it has not been prescribed)
PS: I forgot those of you who consume Flagyl (metronidazole) after every party and also give such drugs like Flagyl and tetracycline to your children for every loose stools! Please STOP!!! Most diarrhoea do not need any antibiotics!
I hope by adhering to these simple guidelines but we can prevent antibiotics resistance – a looming and fatal epidemic if the present spate of irrational use of antibiotics continue. Thank you for reading!
Thank you so much for this doc. What an eye opener.
Please I’d like to ask, my baby of 10 months has this dry coughs in the mornings. It would last for about a minute and that’s it. This has lasted for a month. I have been tempted to use antibiotics for her. Should I be worried doc? What can I do? Thank you again.
You are welcome Sadiya. If the ough happens every day for one month, please do not use antibiotics!! See a Paediatrician immediately first because that is recurrent cough that requires a Paediatrician’s review to know the specific cause and the right approach. Use of antibiotics without your doctor’s prescription is the antibiotic abuse I am warning against.
Hello doc,
Is rashes on the baby’s bum bum and private part be a result of anti biotics (Augmentin precisely).
What can be done to clear these rashes?
Very unlikely..more likely a nappy (diaper) rash. However you should see a doctor first so the baby can be examined and treated appropriately. Please change the diaper very frequently and use diaper cream frequently (NO POWDER please)
is it wrong to consult a pharmacist if one’s just have cough and cold and the baby is still cranky after using anti malaria drugs?
I will usually recommend seeing a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment.
Thanks a bunch! This is really helpful
Happy you found it helpful…keep reading other posts to learn more!
Thank you ma for the enlightenment but ma can flagyl be used for pile instead of using local herbs?
No!! Kindly do not use antibiotics without doctor’s prescription.