Antibiotics kill bacteria. There are billions of bacteria in our body. Why is it drug abuse if I just decide to toss in a few in my mouth, without being sick, since there would always be bacteria to kill
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You’re using a drug for no good reason which generally classifies as abuse. Beyond that:
– Most of these bacteria are beneficial to your digestive functions
– The presence of beneficial or neutral (commensal) species blocks disease-causing species from gaining a foothold, because competition is stricter
– You’re contributing to the generation of antibiotic resistance
These are issues that are present anytime you take antibiotics. The need to clear out disease-causing bacteria may outweigh them, but when there is no such need you are strictly hurting your health (and that of others through resistance).
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