Over the last few decades, the number of doomsday preppers (people who stockpile and prepare for impending disasters) has increased. Their main aim is to gain survival skills, knowledge, and self-reliance through self-defense, and medical training and antibiotics can be the saving grace in a life and death situation; however, they should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. How then, do preppers access antibiotics?
Getting a prescription from a physician is the only safe way to access antibiotics. A prepper physician is the only one who can prescribe antibiotics in bulk, and if you don’t know one, visit a pet store. Most antibiotics prescribed for aquariums are of the same standard as those used by humans.
Survivalism, a movement of groups or individuals, includes preppers or survivalists who prepare in advance for emergencies such as political or social disruptions, adverse climate change, being stranded in the wilderness, or job loss. The rest of this article gives a detailed explanation of other topics related to this question, such as what are the best antibiotics to stock, what they treat, and their usage.
How Antibiotics Work
Also referred to as antimicrobials, antibiotics are drugs that fight bacteria. However, they do not work against viruses like the flu or COVID-19. Antibiotics work in different ways. While some types of antibiotics may kill bacteria, others may disable them or slow their multiplication, which gives your immune system time to clear infections.
Most antibiotics work by preventing DNA replication. A specific class of antimicrobials known as quinolones targets the DNA gyrase, which facilitates DNA replication. When these antibiotics remove the gyrase enzyme from the equation, they prevent the multiplication of the bacteria.
Other antibiotics like tetracycline, which helps in treating respiratory tract infections, treat acne, and other conditions, inhibit the synthesis of proteins in bacteria. They do this by stopping vital molecules from binding to ribosomes, where protein synthesis occurs. When protein synthesis is inhibited, the bacteria are unable to carry out most of their functions, including reproduction.
Still, other types of antibiotics work by preventing the production of folic acid or interfere with the structure of the bacteria’s cell membrane, which regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
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Antibiotics to Stockpile and Reasons Why
Various microbes require their own antibiotic to be effective. Some kill anaerobic bacteria, others aerobic bacteria, while others are used on resistant strains.
Some people experience allergies and intolerance toward certain antibiotics. Below is a list of antibiotics that work for numerous bacterial diseases.
Amoxicillin
This is mostly used for respiratory infections such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, bronchitis, and it is perfect for strep throat. Some of its perks are: It is safe for pregnant women and children, it causes little to no distress on the stomach because it is well-tolerated, and also, it is sometimes used with clarithromycin antibiotic to treat H-pylori infection.
Drawbacks include severe allergies in some people, and resistance has been developed due to overuse by human beings and animals. Augmenting can be used in place of Amoxicillin. However, it has mild side-effects such as diarrhea and stomach discomfort. In the case of severe allergies to Amoxicillin, erythromycin is a good substitute.
Clarithromycin
This treats bacterial infections in the respiratory system and the skin. It is a good substitute for Amoxicillin and erythromycin. Zithromax is a better substitute for clarithromycin; however, it has less effect on Helicobacter pylori.
Cephalexin
Works better on Staph aureus, which causes skin infections and most of the bacteria treated by Amoxicillin. It is well-tolerated for pregnant women and children, causing minor side effects. It hardly treats resistant Staph (MRSA) and carries a risk of allergy. Those who develop anaphylaxis with Amoxicillin should not use cephalexin.
Ciprofloxacin
This is an antibiotic from the group of drugs known as fluoroquinolones. It is used to treat diverticulitis, anthrax, prostate, and urinary tract infections. It is also useful for bronchitis and pneumonia. Ciprofloxacin is not safe for women and children unless its benefit is higher than the risk. It can be taken by mouth or IV. When treating diverticulitis, it is combined with metronidazole.
Metronidazole
This belongs to a class known as nitroimidazoles. Metronidazole treats anaerobic bacteria and parasitic infections such as liver and lung abscess, colon, small intestine, intra-abdominal and vaginal infections (excluding yeast), gingivitis, and fungal wounds. It is effective against various amoebas and cannot be used on children unless advised otherwise.
SMZ-TMP
This is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, which is used to treat urinary infections. The component sulfa works on several respiratory bacteria and urinary pathogens. Ciprofloxacin is more potent; however, SMZ-TMP is a good stockpile antibiotic because it is effective against MRSA (resistant Staph).
Erythromycin
Works on most infections are treated by Amoxicillin and can be a substitute in patients allergic to penicillin. One of its cons is that it causes diarrhea or cramping because of intestinal contraction. However, this can be a benefit to patients whose intestinal motility is impaired. Erythromycin is safe for use among pregnant women and children.
Stockpiling With Natural Antibiotics
A number of preppers who don’t believe in pharmaceuticals can rely on natural antibiotics. These include fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, which stimulates immunity in the body.
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Some examples are oranges, strawberries, lemons, broccoli, kale, and cabbage. Some advantages of natural antibiotics are that they have no side effects, can be found in the supermarket, and do not require a prescription; only usage guidelines.
The disadvantage is that it is impossible for stockpiling unless it is in the form of capsules, which is also expensive. Other natural antibiotics which can be stocked are:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Andrographis tea or tablets
- Coconut oil
- Echinacea
- Essential oils such as the cinnamon leaf, lavender, and cloves, and clove
- Leeks, onions, chives, and garlic
- Goldenseal
- Manuka honey
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Silver (Colloidal and Nanosilver)
The above and many other natural antibiotics treat and prevent various diseases and have different usage.
Fish Antibiotics for Prepping
Prepping is for survival, and when a prepper cannot get large quantity prescriptions, aquatic antibiotics are an alternative. However, this could be dangerous and illegal. Some of these antibiotics are FishMox Forte (Amoxicillin), Fish Flex (Cephalexin), and Fish Pen (Penicillin). Are they safe for human use?
Below is a link to a YouTube video by Patriot Nurse on whether fish antibiotics are safe for humans:
Important Notes
- As much as antibiotics prevent death from previously prevalent diseases, their overuse from extensive use in Agriculture and inappropriate prescriptions is leading to their ineffectiveness. Bacteria have grown more resistant, rendering some antibiotics useless.
- In a scenario where a prepper does not understand how to use an antibiotic, this could lead to severe illness.
- Antibiotics should not be the first choice. Prevention is better than cure. Eating a healthy and nutritious diet is the best way to boost immunity and prevent infections from escalating.
- Always consider if the benefits of using antibiotics outweigh the risks. Some side-effects could lead to permanent body damage.
- Antibiotics only treat bacterial, fungal, and some parasitic infections, not viruses. These include flu, sore throats, and coughs. However, some viruses can become bacterial infections.
- When taking fish antibiotics, remember to check what its ingredients are to avoid allergies and additives such as fillers and others, which can be toxic to your health. The only sure way is to check the dosage difference between human beings and animals and have the antibiotics analyzed by an expert to confirm additional ingredients.
Bottom Line
Survivalism by various groups and individuals has been on the rise over recent decades. Fear of disaster and prior preparation for personal emergencies causes preppers to stock on food, water, and medical supplies such as antibiotics. It isn’t easy to get antibiotics over the counter and therefore require a prescription.
Preppers get prescriptions from fellow prepper physicians or from the pet store where they can easily access aquatic antibiotics. Some of these include Fish Pen and Fish Flex. Natural antibiotics are great alternatives to pharmaceuticals as they have little to no side effects. Also, they can easily be accessed.
Antibiotics only treat parasitic, fungal, and bacterial infections. Their misuse over time in agriculture and human beings has led to their ineffectiveness as bacteria become more resistant. A few generations to come, we might be in a “post-antibiotic age.” Increasing immunity by maintaining healthy nutrition’s a better way to prevent infection.
