Medical Emergency Kit

[JulieBeeRN]

You are purchasing antibiotics from Mexico. You (not a physician) are going to determine when to take them and how long to take them.

To me, that is "willy nilly".

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I think you missed my point.

I am saying that doctors are contributing to resistance by prescribing antibiotics for a longer period than needed.

I am not at all talking about people stopping their treatment early, though by doing so they might actually be helping.

You responded to the OP and I am responded to your statement.

Self-prescribing antibiotics is REALLY going to contribute to resistance; whether you get from Dr. Drew or from Mexico. It doesn't make you less reckless because you haven't ingested it yet. You rip on doctors because they prescribe antibiotics for too long, but it's ok for your doctor to just throw a z-pack like a dart and hope it sticks?

Oh and personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable jet setting around Europe with some pills that bought in Mexico that may or may not be laced with fentanyl.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

You have close contact with a known case of strep, now you have strep symptoms, and you're afraid to go go into a medical facility to get a quick swab to verify if you have strep. Yet you'd be fine just to pop some un-prescribed antibiotics bought from some kind of online 'kit' to hopefully cure whatever the illness might be?

I hope you've done it by now, but if not, go get your strep test. Untreated strep can have serious complications. If you're afraid of getting additional germs (or if you care about not spreading your germs to others including the medical staff), wear an N95 mask while there.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I’ve spent the night in ERs three times in the past two weeks and didn’t get sick. It’s all about not touching your face. I didn’t wear a mask with the exception of once when someone came into the waiting room hacking up a lung without a mask, but you could if it makes you feel better. Get the strep test.

As for the antibiotics, yeah, not good to use random ones that might not work on whatever particular germ you have. Certain antibiotics work on certain germs, often defined by doing a culture and sensitivity, but also depending on where the germ is thought to be growing. I definitely wouldn’t take drugs bought in Mexico.

 

[ilovevacation]

I got to say. I am an infectious disease physician assistant and some of these comments are giving me chest pain.

 

[Christine]

You have close contact with a known case of strep, now you have strep symptoms, and you're afraid to go go into a medical facility to get a quick swab to verify if you have strep. Yet you'd be fine just to pop some un-prescribed antibiotics bought from some kind of online 'kit' to hopefully cure whatever the illness might be?

I hope you've done it by now, but if not, go get your strep test. Untreated strep can have serious complications. If you're afraid of getting additional germs (or if you care about not spreading your germs to others including the medical staff), wear an N95 mask while there.

You'll note from the first post that the OP's relative was diagnosed with strep via "virtual urgent care." Not sure how they do that, but if it was just a guess, we don't even know if Patient Zero actually had strep or just had antibiotics prescribed.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I got to say. I am an infectious disease physician assistant and some of these comments are giving me chest pain.

There are also at least three RNs here.

 

[kdonnel]

You responded to the OP and I am responded to your statement.

Self-prescribing antibiotics is REALLY going to contribute to resistance; whether you get from Dr. Drew or from Mexico. It doesn't make you less reckless because you haven't ingested it yet. You rip on doctors because they prescribe antibiotics for too long, but it's ok for your doctor to just throw a z-pack like a dart and hope it sticks?

Oh and personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable jet setting around Europe with some pills that bought in Mexico that may or may not be laced with fentanyl.

I am often guilty of leaving out all the thoughts I am trying to convey when responding.

The reason I posted about the study was not to "rip on doctors" but to give OP and others that don't take all their antibiotics, a talking point to raise with their doctor the next time they get prescribed an antibiotic. While it might be for the wrong reasons, their habit of not taking all the antibiotics might actually be the correct course of action.

It is important to educate yourself because doctors are not to be placed on a pedestal. They are just highly educated but with an asterisk.

Studies have shown that if you need a procedure done, you will get a better outcome if the doctor performing it has done it many, many,many times. So you should seek out the most experienced.

Studies have also shown that if you have something that needs to be diagnosed, you actually want a younger doctor. Older doctors are often set in their diagnostic ways. They have seen that same set of symptoms dozens or hundreds of times in the past and immediately assume it is the same condition. Younger doctors have been shown to be both more open minded and have more up to date knowledge.

As to jet setting around Europe with a z pack from Mexico, I will assume the risk. The odds of my antibiotics purchased from a licensed pharmacy in Mexico being laced with fentanyl is near zero. The pharmacy I use displays their COFEPRIS registration number which can be easily verified and has a QFB on site that confers with each customer.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I am often guilty of leaving out all the thoughts I am trying to convey when responding.

The reason I posted about the study was not to "rip on doctors" but to give OP and others that don't take all their antibiotics, a talking point to raise with their doctor the next time they get prescribed an antibiotic. While it might be for the wrong reasons, their habit of not taking all the antibiotics might actually be the correct course of action.

It is important to educate yourself because doctors are not to be placed on a pedestal. They are just highly educated but with an asterisk.

Studies have shown that if you need a procedure done, you will get a better outcome if the doctor performing it has done it many, many,many times. So you should seek out the most experienced.

Studies have also shown that if you have something that needs to be diagnosed, you actually want a younger doctor. Older doctors are often set in their diagnostic ways. They have seen that same set of symptoms dozens or hundreds of times in the past and immediately assume it is the same condition. Younger doctors have been shown to be both more open minded and have more up to date knowledge.

As to jet setting around Europe with a z pack from Mexico, I will assume the risk. The odds of my antibiotics purchased from a licensed pharmacy in Mexico being laced with fentanyl is near zero. The pharmacy I use displays their COFEPRIS registration number which can be easily verified and has a QFB on site that confers with each customer.

Agree to disagree about self-admistered antibiotics. But here's a quick AI recap:

Studies show antibiotic self-administration is common globally, driven by easy access, perceived minor illness, past success, and lack of awareness about resistance, leading to misuse (like using them for viral infections) and contributing significantly to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
, with amoxicillin and azithromycin being frequently misused, especially for colds, sore throats, and diarrhea, highlighting urgent public health needs for education and stewardship.
Key Findings from Studies

• High Prevalence: Rates vary widely (7.3% to over 80%), but self-medication (SMA) is prevalent, even among medical students.
• Common Reasons:
  • Minor illness perception (colds, sore throats).
  • Previous positive experience with antibiotics.
  • Convenience/avoiding doctor visits/queues.
  • Easy access via pharmacies.
  • Advice from family/friends or internet.
• Commonly Misused Antibiotics: Amoxicillin, azithromycin, metronidazole.
• Conditions Treated: Sore throats, colds, diarrhea, respiratory, and gastrointestinal issues, often viral.
• Drivers of Misuse: Lack of knowledge about resistance, poor understanding of antibiotics, and psychological distress (like during the pandemic).

Consequences & Risks

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Inappropriate use fuels AMR, making common infections harder to treat.
• Ineffective Treatment: Using antibiotics for viruses (like colds) doesn't work and can cause side effects, allergies, or secondary infections.
• Worsening Resistance Genes: Emergence of genes like mcr-1 highlights growing threats.

Examples of Research Focus

• COVID-19 Pandemic: Studies showed increased SMA for COVID-19, linked to distress and misinformation.
• Children: Parents often self-administer antibiotics for children's viral symptoms, increasing risks.
• Varying Factors: Prevalence differs by country, education, and socio-economic status, but misuse is a global concern.

Call to Action
Research consistently calls for strategies addressing low awareness, improving antibiotic stewardship, regulating over-the-counter access, and educating the public and healthcare professionals to curb this dangerous trend.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I am often guilty of leaving out all the thoughts I am trying to convey when responding.

The reason I posted about the study was not to "rip on doctors" but to give OP and others that don't take all their antibiotics, a talking point to raise with their doctor the next time they get prescribed an antibiotic. While it might be for the wrong reasons, their habit of not taking all the antibiotics might actually be the correct course of action.

It is important to educate yourself because doctors are not to be placed on a pedestal. They are just highly educated but with an asterisk.

Studies have shown that if you need a procedure done, you will get a better outcome if the doctor performing it has done it many, many,many times. So you should seek out the most experienced.

Studies have also shown that if you have something that needs to be diagnosed, you actually want a younger doctor. Older doctors are often set in their diagnostic ways. They have seen that same set of symptoms dozens or hundreds of times in the past and immediately assume it is the same condition. Younger doctors have been shown to be both more open minded and have more up to date knowledge.

As to jet setting around Europe with a z pack from Mexico, I will assume the risk. The odds of my antibiotics purchased from a licensed pharmacy in Mexico being laced with fentanyl is near zero. The pharmacy I use displays their COFEPRIS registration number which can be easily verified and has a QFB on site that confers with each customer.

No one should be on a pedestal but it I have a difficult time with someone who dismisses medical expertise with an asterisk and then selectively rely on it when it supports their position.
And I'm all for educating yourself, but that should be working with your doctor not against them.