Dr Phil Kieran: I'm a GP and here's why antibiotics aren't always the answer
A general practitioner explains the biological mechanism of antibiotic resistance and why these medications are ineffective against viral infections. The article emphasizes the importance of using antibiotics sparingly to prevent the rise of resistant bacterial strains.
Why it matters
Antibiotic resistance is a major global public health threat that requires better public understanding and clinical stewardship.
Let’s look at how antibiotics work. Picture: iStock
Dr Phil Kieran is a full-time GP practising in Cork. He previously presented RTE's 'You Should Really See a Doctor' and 'How Long Will You Live?'.
“I just want to catch it before it gets worse”.
“I always need an antibiotic doctor — my infections never leave of their own accord.”
These are the kind of statements I hear daily at my practice, and I am pretty sure that every GP around the country, if not the world, will report the same.
Most of us are aware that antibiotics should be prescribed sparingly and only when needed, and that they don’t help with viral infections.
However, I don’t think we as doctors are very good at explaining the reasons why.
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