Antibiotics

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 7:09am

Morning all

At the risk of sounding like a gossip columnist, I hear that 'we' will need to antibiotics a lot for the rest of our lives. Even for visits to the hygienist as 'we' are more susceptible to infection with our additional parts.

Is this a US thing or is that the thinking in the UK (and elsewhere)? I know my GP hates giving antibiotics due to the fear of resistence.

nh_user_895607 · February 17, 2016, 7:25am

Hello

I have just been to the dentist and asked him about this and he said it is not necessary . Used to be but not now and I am in England !

My consultant also told me that antibiotics were not needed .

Any help ?

nh_user_904631 · February 17, 2016, 7:27am

I'm seeing my GP tomorrow I'll ask?? Never was told that re my knee. So now with hip as well ...... Who knows??!!!

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 7:30am

Very much - thank you.

The chat talked about the 'foreign matter' (ie: implant) being a magnet for infection and therefore makes us more vulnerable. Especially, as it is in the bone. But I guess that theory would apply to serious dental work and screws for broken bones etc.

nh_user_744953 · February 17, 2016, 7:56am

Hi Michael,

Surely once our wound has healed, we are no more liable to infections than anybody else?!

Yes, we're discouraged from taking antibiotics in the UK because the bugs are becoming immune to them.

So, no, I wouldn't take them as a preventative.

Anna x

nh_user_924057 · February 17, 2016, 7:59am

I agree Anna

nh_user_921511 · February 17, 2016, 8:00am

Hi Michael I had read about the antibiotics thing and asked the question of my dentist last week I was seeing the hygienist and it was unnecessary to have any he said if there major work ie implants then antibiotics would be given anyway.

nh_user_343707 · February 17, 2016, 8:04am

My GP prescribes them very reluctantly too. I do understand that viral infections do not respond to antibiotics but many people seem to think they are a cure-all. I do worry that we will soon be left with no effective antibiotics, something that does worry me. I'm an asthmatic and colds and flu invariably end up becoming chest infections for me. I have wondered how this will affect me when I have a new hip and if my GP will be quicker to prescribe to avoid infections spreading to my hip. I know very little about the risk of infection in the body affecting post op hip patients.

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 8:19am

I really would not worry about this as a factor. It just does not make sense - and as Judge Judy says: If it does not make sense, it is probably not true. But then, lke me, she is not medically trained.

This chat started in the US, and with all due respect, they do tend to dance to another tune when it comes to healthcare. I genuinely believe that it is a money-making and scare-mongering thing.

My nephew has had screws in his ankle for nearly 10 years and he has not heard of such a thing.

Michael

nh_user_921511 · February 17, 2016, 8:22am

Agreed... Have you heard of anyone being given a card re hip replacement for when travelling abroad ?

nh_user_920173 · February 17, 2016, 8:31am

Hi Michael,

I asked my gp about this the other week as I'm due at the hygienist on Friday. I also have a troublesome root canal which will require attention too. He told me that the the operation is now 'in the past and done' and that there is no timeframe to avoid having dental work and no preventative measures to take.

Dawn

nh_user_597283 · February 17, 2016, 8:33am

I now live in Australia and I take preventative antibiotics at every cleaning or dental work including colonoscopies...the bacteria in your mouth is worse than what's on the average toilet seat...

I think it does vary, with different surgeons here, but for the most part they do prescribe them,..Id much rather take a quick dose an hour before work than deal with an infection.

once you have a foreign part in your body its foreign..having known 3 people suffer multiple joint infections ..where they lost two or more joints to the same bug...it's not somewhere I want to go, if I can prevent it. Especially as I have 5 of them,

anon53727290 · February 17, 2016, 8:34am

Dr at the local hospital told me probably not necessary 6 months after hip replacement.

I attended local hospital on a Sunday recently after being bitten by a mossie, I already know I have a really bad reaction to various bites, and I have prescribed Phenergan to take immediately after bite, sometimes it works, in this case it didn't and the bite was on the most recent THR side, told I could push the phenergan to a much higher dosage, if i continue to have this bad reaction, and let the hospital pick my semi-concious self up later.

Was prescribed antibiotics to cover the cellulitis that was deveolping at a rate of knots, and i was also shivering and shaking with reaction from bite.

GRRRRR mossies are everywhere in Queensland, and I am a mossie magnet.

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 8:39am

Thanks Gaby - I look forward to hearing what he/she says

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 8:40am

I agree too

Michael x

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 8:43am

Good point, well made.

nh_user_343707 · February 17, 2016, 8:44am

Good point Susan.

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 8:45am

It is an interesting point you make. There was a thread about having a medical bracelet so that the emegency medics would be aware. But I seem to think that was more to do with moving you than infection. I stand ready to be corrected though.

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 8:47am

I guess that is a double edged sword. You are 'done and dusted' *yay* but now have root canal to look forward to *urgh*. Good luck with that!!

Michael

nh_user_916619 · February 17, 2016, 8:49am

*gulp* "lost two or more joints"? That sounds dreadful. I don't blame you for erring on the side of caution.

Just illustrates how different the advice is in various territories and various doctors.