Dr. Deepal Perera, a Consultant Paediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), has emphasized the dangers of using antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. He warns that this practice can lead to the death of essential bacteria that are crucial for the body’s survival. Additionally, the creation of resistant bacteria caused by the misuse of antibiotics can result in widespread diseases that could potentially cause death for everyone within approximately 50 years. Dr. Perera highlights that these findings have been discovered by antimicrobial experts through extensive research conducted worldwide during the ‘World Antibiotic Awareness Week’ from November 18 to 24.
Dr. Perera explains that antibiotics not only weaken and kill harmful bacteria but also eliminate beneficial bacteria when used excessively. Therefore, he urges parents to refrain from administering antibiotics to children unless absolutely necessary. Unnecessary use of antibiotics in children can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in their bodies.
In cases of bacterial infections, antibiotics should only be used when deemed necessary by doctors, taking into account various factors such as age and weight. Dr. Perera emphasizes that antibiotics are not required for viral fevers, diarrhea, coughs, colds, and minor injuries unless prescribed by a doctor.
Furthermore, it is crucial to adhere to the prescribed dosage of antibiotics for the specified duration. Dr. Perera also mentions that due to the high cost of antibiotics, global research in this field is limited.
He concludes by stating that if new antibiotics cannot be discovered in the future, bacterial infections could potentially lead to the demise of the entire population.
