133 million courses of antibiotics are prescribed to non-hospitalized patients over the course of a year; about fifty percent of these are unnecessary. Antibiotics are considered a “miracle drug” because they make once-deadly diseases simple inconveniences. However, the undifferentiated way in which doctors prescribe antibiotics has both long- and short-term consequences that affect the entire human population. To correct these errors, doctors must understand that prescribing antibiotics without caution can create serious and widespread problems. If actions are not taken to prevent the growing problems, they could result in countless human casualties. Antibiotics should be prescribed less frequently by doctors due to cases of general misuse, weakened immune responses in patients, and adaptations in microbes. The lack of caution with which doctors prescribe antibiotics leads to countless cases of misuse. A third of all patients prescribed antibiotics use them with reckless abandon, and doctors' warnings are ignored. Not filling the prescription, saving leftover medications to treat future illnesses, or even sharing antibiotics with a sick friend are among the multitude of cases of abuse. Often, as people seek immediate treatment for their minor colds, they ask for, and sometimes require, antibiotics. As a result, doctors feel obliged to please their patients, but since viruses trigger colds, antibiotics have no effect. However, the bacteria normally present in the body are affected, which can lead to dangerous imbalances. For example, a patient complains of a mild fever and cough and requires antibiotics, which have no effect. His or h...... middle of paper......s. Network. 19 December 2011. "Antibiotics and the immune system". The immune system. Network. December 18, 2011."CDC - Information on antimicrobial resistance." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Network. December 18, 2011. "CDC | TB | Fact Sheets | Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Network. December 18, 2011. "Risk of MRSA superbug meat consumption | Post online." Home | Post online. Network. December 18, 2011.Hedrick, Eddie. “Antibiotic Abuse: Correct Use of Antibiotics.” Virtual health team."How antibiotics weaken the immune system." Basic Articles. December 23, 2007. Web. December 18, 2011. "MRSA: Contagious, Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Treatments." WebMD: Better information. Better health. Network. 18 December 2011. "PROBLEMS WITH ANTIBIOTICS (tuberculosis, allergies, bacteria allergic to penicillin) - Mombu, Medicine Forum." Mombu. Network. December 19. 2011