A study released today warns of the dangers of overuse of antibiotics to treat certain infections in children, such as ear, sinus and throat, which in part may be contributing to greater resistance to these drugs.

The report, conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes the need to be more ‘responsible’ by prescribing antibiotics to treat these infections very common in children.

‘Our medicine cabinet is getting empty of antibiotics to treat infections. If doctors prescribe antibiotics for patients, they take it carefully and take them as they were prescribed these medications can preserve that save lives and avoid entering the era post-antibiotics, said the director of CDC, Tom Freidan.

According to the report, each year nearly 10 million children, who do not take antibiotics, are treated for respiratory conditions they suffer since many of these infections are caused by viruses and should not be treated with these drugs. Visit this webpage for more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibiotics

A CDC study released in September 2013, found that more than two million people in the United States each year suffer from infections that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 die from these.

According to health authorities, inappropriate use of antibiotics has generated excess bacteria resistant to this class of drugs and is considered one of the greatest public health threats worldwide.

The report recommends that physicians determine the likelihood of a bacterial infection before prescribing antibiotics, and weigh the benefits and harms of antibiotic use, and prescribe the antibiotic and the proper dosage.

The CDC recommends avoiding the use of antibiotics for viral infections such as colds and most sore throats, among others.