Knowing When To Take Antibiotics

- Win $529 for your child's college education

Knowing When To Take Antibiotics

Posted:

By Jon Berg - email

It's that time of year again, when you or a family member, or even someone you work with is coughing or sneezing due to a winter cold.

Sanford Family Medicine Doctor Jennifer Beckwith, says generally 85 to 90 percent of the common cold symptoms are actually caused by a virus, which is not treated with an antibiotic.

There are plenty of over the counter medications for common colds, but Beckwith says sometimes patients will get frustrated when their doctor doesn't prescribe an antibiotic for their cold or illness.

Sometimes prescribing an antibiotic when not needed can do more harm than good.

"I just think it's really important that people know for most of the time common colds are viruses and using an antibiotic, we can create antibiotic resistants, we can create side effects from the antibiotic so there are definitely risks in taking an antibiotic when you don't need it," Sanford Family Medicine Doctor, Jennifer Beckwith said.

Beckwith says if you ARE given an antibiotic it's important to completely finish the prescription EVEN if you start to feel better.

Bismarck/Mandan NewsMore>>
An Unwelcome Visitor to North Dakota -- May Soon Arrive
An Unwelcome Visitor to North Dakota -- May Soon Arrive
Updated: Thursday, May 23 2013 7:14 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:14:33 GMT
It's small but destructive -- and it comes to America courtesy of Asia. The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic wood-boring beetle currently making it's way across the U.S. to North Dakota. Believed to
It's small but destructive -- and it comes to America courtesy of Asia. The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic wood-boring beetle currently making it's way across the U.S. to North Dakota. Believed to
Church-To-Child Care Conversion Blocked
Church-To-Child Care Conversion Blocked
Updated: Thursday, May 23 2013 6:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:57:30 GMT
Daycare goes down. A Bismarck neighborhood rallies to block a church from converting to a childcare center. "We do recognize that there is a shortage of daycare in the community," says Kim Lee, Bismarck
Daycare goes down. A Bismarck neighborhood rallies to block a church from converting to a childcare center. "We do recognize that there is a shortage of daycare in the community," says Kim Lee, Bismarck
Rice Bowl Named Top 100 Chinese Restaurant In Country
Rice Bowl Named Top 100 Chinese Restaurant In Country
Updated: Thursday, May 23 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:27:13 GMT
If you're hungry for Chinese Food, there's only a handful of places to choose from in Bismarck/Mandan. But one downtown restaurant in Mandan seems to be attracting a lot of regular customers, and those
If you're hungry for Chinese Food, there's only a handful of places to choose from in Bismarck/Mandan. But one downtown restaurant in Mandan seems to be attracting a lot of regular customers, and those
Highway Patrol Boosts Presence in Watford City
Highway Patrol Boosts Presence in Watford City
Updated: Thursday, May 23 2013 4:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:39:00 GMT
Three out of seven new Highway Patrol Troopers to head to Watford City.
Seven new Highway Patrol Troopers graduate from Law Enforcement Training Academy
Getting Your Permit Before Tree Planting
Getting Your Permit Before Tree Planting
Updated: Thursday, May 23 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:01:28 GMT
The number of trees in Bismarck is multiplying almost as fast as the number of new faces. The city is helping some homeowners pay for those trees. Reporter Sarah Gustin has the story. A quick stroll and
The number of trees in Bismarck is multiplying almost as fast as the number of new faces. The city is helping some homeowners pay for those trees. Reporter Sarah Gustin has the story. A quick stroll and

HealthMore>>
Study: No higher cancer rate at Conn. Pratt plant
Study: No higher cancer rate at Conn. Pratt plant
Researchers examining the incidence of brain cancer at jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut say they have found no statistically significant elevations in the rate of cancer among workers.
An 11-year study of the incidence of brain cancer at jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney in the state ended Thursday with university researchers saying they found no statistically significant elevations in the rate...
Hobby Lobby tests birth-control coverage mandate
Hobby Lobby tests birth-control coverage mandate
Contraception coverage by for-profit companies faces a prominent test in Denver.
In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. asked a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that...
WHO: Scientific red tape mars efforts vs. virus
WHO: Scientific red tape mars efforts vs. virus
The World Health Organization says there are now 22 deaths worldwide out of 44 lab-confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.
International efforts to combat a new pneumonia-like virus that has now killed 22 people are being slowed by unclear rules and competition for the potentially profitable rights to disease samples, the head of the World...
Nearly all US states see hefty drop in teen births
Nearly all US states see hefty drop in teen births
The nation's record-low teen birth rate stems from robust declines in nearly every state, but most dramatically in several Mountain States and among Hispanics, according to a new government report.
The nation's record-low teen birth rate stems from robust declines in nearly every state, but most dramatically in several Mountain States and among Hispanics, according to a new government report.
Shuttered NM plant resumes making peanut butter
Shuttered NM plant resumes making peanut butter
The eastern New Mexico peanut butter plant shuttered nine months ago after a salmonella outbreak is making nut butter again.
The eastern New Mexico peanut butter plant shuttered eight months ago after a salmonella outbreak is back in production, and company officials say their coveted natural and organic butters could be back on store shelves...

North Dakota HeadlinesNorth Dakota HeadlinesMore>>
News Minute: Here is the latest North Dakota news from The Associated Press
News Minute: Here is the latest North Dakota news from The Associated Press
The state Board of Higher Education has revised a tuition rate plan that was put in place only a few weeks ago. The plan approved today would keep tuition hikes between 2.18 percent and 4.76 percent at public colleges,...
Diederich new leader of ND higher education board
Diederich new leader of ND higher education board
Kirsten Diederich of Fargo is the new president of the North Dakota Board of Higher Education.
Kirsten Diederich of Fargo is the new president of the North Dakota Board of Higher Education.
ND higher education officials to revisit tuition
ND higher education officials to revisit tuition
The state Board of Higher Education might put tuition back on the drawing board.
The state Board of Higher Education might put tuition back on the drawing board.
Corps study addresses Missouri River sediment
Corps study addresses Missouri River sediment
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a new study indicates that high discharge, short duration reservoir releases out of Fort Randall Dam could help flush fine sediment out of the Missouri River.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a new study indicates that high discharge, short duration reservoir releases out of Fort Randall Dam could help flush fine sediment out of the Missouri River.
Cavalier residents breathing a big sigh of relief
Cavalier residents breathing a big sigh of relief
The mayor of flood-threatened Cavalier says residents are "breathing an enormous sigh of relief."
The mayor of flood-threatened Cavalier says residents are "breathing an enormous sigh of relief."