By CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Courtesy The Daily Mirror

COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) – Using antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription could cause the death of necessary bacteria that are needed for the survival of the body, and the diseases caused by the creation of resistant bacteria in the body spreading throughout society could cause death for everyone within about 50 years, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Commenting on the ‘World Antibiotic Awareness Week’ from November 18 to 24, he further said that the world’s antimicrobial experts have discovered this through research.

Dr. Perera points out that antibiotics weaken and kill bacteria, and in excess, beneficial bacteria too are killed.

He requested parents not to give antibiotics to children unnecessarily other than in the most required situation. Giving antibiotics unnecessarily to children will create resistance to antibiotics in their bodies.

Antibiotics should be used only if necessary in cases of bacterial infections. Doctors recommend this while taking into consideration many factors, including the age and weight of the person concerned.

“Antibiotics are not necessary for viral fevers and diarrhea. For coughs, colds, and minor injuries, antibiotics should be taken only on a doctor’s prescription,” Dr. Perera said.

It is necessary to take the prescribed dose of antibiotic during the particular period.

He further mentioned that due to the high cost of antibiotics, research on antibiotics worldwide is minimal.

If we are unable to find new antibiotics in the future, everyone will die due to bacterial infections, he added.