Relative obsessed with the use of antibiotics?

[Idontknowwhatimdoing3736363]

Not sure why I’m posting this but I’m wondering if anyone else’s relatives are obsessed with antibiotics, particularly those of an age where maybe antibiotics were more regularly prescribed when they were kids.

anyway, they are in mid 50’s and think antibiotics are the answer to anything. Of course they have their purpose but they think everything needs them. I’ve tried to describe it numerous times, but they cannot seem to grasp the difference between a virus and a bacterial illnesses needing them. I’ve also tried to explain resistance which I find scary and how antibiotics aren’t great for your body if used all the time and not needed.

funnily enough they are quite often ill and I wonder if it’s a result of antibiotic over use over the years effecting their immune system.

they have been to the doctors with a cold/cough virus and demanded antibiotics and got verbally aggressive with the GP.

since Covid and a lot of things being diagnosed and prescribed over the phone they’ve exaggerated their symptoms to get them.

this is my parent. So I dread to think how many times I was prescribed antibiotics as a kid in the 90’s tbh. My nhs app thankfully doesn’t go back far enough as I changed area and GP which I’m grateful for - I am sure I was always in the doctors and prescribed something 😩thankfully their hypochondria hasn’t rubbed off on me.

I have a relatively mild illness this week, feel crap but I don’t need to see or speak to a doctor. I stupidly told relative I was feeling crap and she’s advised me to speak to GP and get antibiotics.

my son had a cold a while ago and felt a bit rough but according to my parent they needed antibiotics?!

I am struggling to bite my lip now. Of course antibiotics have their use but I feel this attitude is extreme?! Anyone else know anyone like this? Should I just give up explaining?

I turned 40 recently and only had antibiotics 2 or 3 times as an adult. Last year I was bitten by a spider. Never had a chest or ear infection etc.

Hope the spider bite wasn’t too bad. Someone I know recently got bitten by one, she wasn’t sure on type but potentially false widow and it swelled around the bite but she was okay after a few hours!

I used to get ear infections as a kid but never had a chest infection. My son has had a few chest infections though!

@Idontknowwhatimdoing3736363 my whole hand swelled up and my little finger (site of bite) went black but needed a consultant to look at it as they were worried it was close to a joint. Was very sore!

early thirties and very fortunate not to get ill that often. I do have sinus issues but not it’s not from infections. The last time I had them was for a tooth infection and the time before that was an infected patch of dermatitis. I had them a lot as a child and feel grateful my adult years have been healthier!

I am all for them for the right reasons! Nothing wrong with taking them. Just the obsessive need from my relative worries me!

Another problem is people who do need antibiotics - but stop taking them before they’ve finished the course, because they feel better. Another cause of bacteria becoming resistant.
A friend of ours did this repeatedly - he would not be told.,

Nope not an age thing in my opinion.
My dil is similar to your parents, alway going to the Doctors for a sniffle or cough.

My mum is like this. It does My head in. She also argues with me about not getting antibiotics for every sniffle especially as I’m immunosuppressed but I see that as exactly why I shouldn’t take antibiotics for every little thing. I do need them more often than most but I know when I don’t need them. She gets antibiotics for every cough she gets. Doesn’t consider as a heavy smoker that may make a respiratory virus worse. She is a hypochondriac though and will fight with me about not taking my kids to the dr whenever they have a virus. It’s a bloody nightmare. My dad is the complete opposite and refuses medication and berates doctors all the time. Generally I stay away from talking to either of them when ill

i knew a pharmacologist who went to the GP for antibiotics for every cough and sniffle.

he knew full well about viruses vs bacteria, and antibiotic resistant, he was just too fucking arrogant and would take the antibiotics regardless “just in case”.

And the ones who take half the course and save the other half for “next time” 😠

@MisschiefMaker undiagnosed neutropenia for years. Constant chest infections and tonsillitis
Most recently it's repeated UTIs, they're trying a longer course each time now rather than doing 3 courses to shift one UTI
No immune system to start with!

Just smile and nod then change the subject. Years ago, mid 90’s, I was told to get antibiotics for a cold. It was my boss and she was the type to put staff on disciplinary for being off sick. So I wasted a GP appointment and said GP agreed that antibiotics were not needed and my boss was wrong.

I'm mid 50s and know the difference between viral and bacterial infections perfectly well, thanks. I also understood why antibiotic over-prescription is so dangerous. Don't put it down to age, please.

Someone I know buys them abroad and then keeps them at home for just in case.

My sister in law is like this and the shocking thing is - she's a doctor!! It blows my mind that every time she has the most minor cold she'll take antibiotics. I seriously can't believe it.

That sounds absolutely awful, I really feel for you.

Apologies. I think perhaps I was a bit naive about age. From my point of it was that I’ve heard many people say 50+ say how easy it was to get them prescribed back in the 70’s or 80’s but I am probably wrong!

Oh gosh. My parent is like this with a cough. Every single cough they get they think they need antibiotics, ignoring the fact smoking is a contributor.

my son will always get that annoying post viral cough after a cold, usually from post nasal drip, my mum tries to convince me how chesty the cough sends and he needs Anti b’s when usually isn’t chesty at all, it’s just from irritated airways and throat!

You sure she not taking anti-virals? My mum is a big antibiotics lover even if it's not the most appropriate treatment. I've got a horrible cough from GERD at the minute, she convinced I need antibiotics which will actually make it worse. Currently nodding along saying I will make a GP appointment that I have no intention of making.

Definitely antibiotics. She's a doctor in southern Europe and I wonder if they have a different attitude to antibiotics there. We've had so many arguments about it.

I don’t like taking anti biotics, the few times I’ve had to for tonsillitis, they’ve been a pain in my ass. One before food but 2 hours after. We live by routing in our house as DS is autistic so trying to fit them around meal times was a joke. Tbf they worked but still...

It's idiots like this that mean when I do actually need an antibiotic that I'm not actually allergic to, the chances are that the bacteria concerned will not respond to it.

Twats.

That sounds like a bit of neuroticism / anxiety OP. I don’t think that’s typical for someone in their mid 50s. I’m only a bit younger than that, and don’t remember an era when antibiotics were handed out like sweets.

My middle aged and older relatives are not like this. They are more resilient having rarely been to the GP.

I'm abit like this though 🤣
I know the difference between bacterial & viral but it still don't stop me hoping that the antibiotics will make it go away anyway. Or I know my own body & I know when I'm cusping on a bacterial infection. Doctors still won't give it to me & I feel abit like a cartoon character shaking eyes bulging "just give it to me " 🤣
And just FYI yes they have given into me before & no it didn't make my horrible hacking cough go away lol.