Final answer:
Antibiotics are indeed overused in many situations including treating acute bronchitis, often used for illnesses where they are ineffective, such as viral infections. This overuse contributes to the rapid development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing public health concern.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement, 'Antibiotics are overused in treating acute bronchitis', is indeed true. Antibiotics are extensively utilized for many ailments, common colds and flu among them, which are viral infections and not bacterial, rendering antibiotics ineffective. Overuse or misuse of antibiotics unfortunately accelerates the natural selection of resistant bacteria, leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains that can become a public health concern.
Furthermore, the imprudent use of antibiotics also extends to livestock, where they are fed in low doses, further enhancing the probability of bacterial resistance development. Humans can later be exposed to these antibiotic-resistant bacteria, adding to the resistance strain pool.
Finally, it's vital to comprehend that antibiotics should be used judiciously, and only when necessary, to mitigate, if not prevent, the occurrence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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