Gut Health 101
Are antibiotics effective for adults and children with acute sore throats? – (02-08-01)
Are antibiotics effective for adults and children with acute sore throats?
This is a Cochrane Collaboration review of the effectiveness of antibiotics for sore throat. The overall results did show that antibiotics were effective at reducing the symptoms by day 3. Interestingly, 22 studies were reviewed, and only four were recent; the majority were done in the 1950′s. I’m sure much has changed in four decades. All of these studies compared antibiotics to placebo. I would like to see antibiotics compared to a functional approach; high does Vit C, echinacea, probiotics, plenty of water, elimination of refined carbs… I’m sure the natural approach would be at least as effective. And, knowing what research has shown us about the importance of normal flora, I’m sure the natural approach is much safer for the patient in the long run.
wjm — Del Mar et al. 174 (2): 112
