Doctor Tosin Osikoya Weighs In on Antibiotic Misuse
“Antibiotics are on the verge of losing their effectiveness due to misuse and overuse, and in many cases they aren’t even needed.”
Some people go to chemists to buy for cough, cold, skin rash and any and all ailments ??
Some health care professionals even prescribe taking the “Nigerian patient” into account (because if you don’t prescribe it they would think you are not doing a good job) and NOT the diagnosis.
My son was recently prescribed Griseofulvin and Amoxicillin when he was taken to a hospital by his Dad. When they got back, I asked for a diagnosis. There was none so I didn’t give him the drugs because I didn’t see the need.
When I took him back the next day, they said it was “Fungal infection with secondary bacterial infection on his elbow”.
I asked how? They said can’t I see it’s white? My son hates to rub body lotion and I told him that, I also told him that that spots they were seeing had been there for at least 5 years.
I rubbed lotion on his elbow and they took another look. They agreed with me and gave a referral to a Dermatologist.
Mind you, his Dad had taken him there for a different symptom. They saw his elbow and decided to give him those drugs including paracetamol, folic acid and multivitamin. He didn’t need any of them.
My issue is not with giving antibiotics, it’s with giving ANY drug without a Diagnosis or should I say No Evidence to Sustain That 
Diagnosis.
Let’s not talk about the original complaint! ☺
Please be careful with the use of antibiotics, don’t self-medicate. If a healthcare professional prescribes one, ask for a diagnosis and the reason why it was prescribed. You have a right to know, it’s your body.
Every drug has a side effect, it is only prescribed because the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of using it.
Be safe.
Culled from @who – Our time with #antibiotics is running out. Help us to stop the spread of #AntibioticResistance!
Dr Tosin Osikoya is a CPR & First Aid Trainer in Lagos. She is the Founder and Business Manager of Levande Healthcare. First AId by Levande is a service offered by the company.
