I am still a little torn on whether I would continue to take antibiotics prescribed by my doctors. Previously, I had no knowledge on the importance of our gut microbial communities. I trusted in the doctors’ recommendations. However, this class has taught me how fragile yet crucial our microbiotas are. I’ve learned the importance of having a diverse microbiota in terms of natural protection. I also realized how damaging antibiotics can be, especially since they may attack our own epithelial cells. I feel I would still trust any antibiotic prescriptions, but I would be a little wary of taking them. If the antibiotics were prescribed in high doses over a long period of time, I might ask my doctor if there are other ways to combat the infection such as through eating certain foods or perhaps taking probiotics that are known to product natural antibiotics that can fight the pathogen. I may engage in those consumption practice in tandem with a lower antibiotic dose. Overall I would be more conscientious of the impacts the antibiotic would have on my gut microbial community. I would work with my doctor to identify ways to combat the pathogen without irreversibly disturbing my gut microbes.
