Antibiotics are still too automatic in France (especially in children)

As Social Security reminded us in 2008, antibiotics are not automatic. To relieve winter ailments, antibiotics are often useless and their consumption has steadily declined over the past 10 years. Then Covid passed … Or rather the “end” of Covid …

With the return of winter viruses in the 0-4 age group, antibiotic prescriptions start to rise again, although these drugs have no effect on this type of ailment. Too frequent use can also be dangerous.

Consumption of antibiotics on the rise

Over the past 10 years, antibiotics have been prescribed less and less. Then Covid passed through there and with it barrier gestures that also protected us from many winter viruses. When the measures relaxed, all the viruses reappeared, taking advantage of this small immune break to ferociously attack our little ones, already not very strong in normal times.

Since 2021, antibiotic prescriptions are on the rise and too numerous, as a report published by Public Health France deplores. Last year, 700 out of 1000 French people were prescribed antibiotics.

The French and antibiotics

The antibiotic is still seen as THE miracle cure for all diseases that exist. For 65% of the French interviewed by Santé Publique France they are effective against bronchiolitis and for 53% they help treat the flu. However, if antibiotics allow bacteria to fight, they have no effect on these painful but viral diseases. Worse still, when antibiotic consumption is too high, individuals can develop resistance and the bacteria become increasingly virulent.

However, French doctors often give in to destitute parents because of this resurgence of winter ailments that assign our little treasures to their homes, for the great happiness of our professional life and our health (contagion, we like it).

Elsewhere, we prefer to let time take its course

This antibiotic culture is very French and is not exported everywhere in Europe.
In the Netherlands where I live, children are rarely prescribed antibiotics. The parent is generally asked to take the young patient home, possibly with a bottle of paracetamol, and only to return if the situation persists or worsens.

The darons and daronnes of northern Europe will confirm that it is not pleasant to spend three weeks in the company of a child whose dripping ear would make a coroner sick. However, they prefer to let the viruses live their life and strengthen their baby’s immune system. And bring out an antibiotic when a real bacterium shows up, of course.

Photo credit image of one: Fahroni