It is a well-known fact that antibiotics do an amazing job of killing most fatal bacterial infections. In short, antibiotics are life-savers. However, overuse of antibiotics can cause major health hazards.

Did you know that 2 million pounds of antibiotics were manufactured in the United States in 1954?

Let’s take a look at the 6 most important facts about antibiotics that most people don’t know.

1. Heavy antibiotic use can cause breast cancer. A study reveals that women taking a large amount of strong antibiotics are more prone to developing breast cancer than those who don’t.

2. Antibiotics destroy the immune system. What most people are unaware of is that a healthy quantity of gut material is required for the normal functioning of your immune system. Too much intake of antibiotics disturbs this natural function. Besides this, antibiotics take a toll on the risk of chronic degenerative diseases.

3. Antibiotics cause diarrhea. Antibiotics cause damage to your stomach. People on antibiotics are more likely to experience diarrhea due to a disruption in the balance between bad and good bacteria present in the gut.

4. Antibiotics increase risk of bacterial infection. The body of a person who is continually on antibiotics becomes more vulnerable to bacterial infection since the bacteria get used to the drug and eventually develop tolerance towards it. This can lead to the development of infections, such as urinary tract infection, and can even prove to be fatal.

5. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Viruses are non-responsive to antibiotics. Problems like cough, sore-throats and cold cannot be cured by antibiotics. However, doctors are usually quick to prescribe antibiotics for a scratchy throat or a runny nose.

6. Antibiotics often have troubling side effects. Antibiotics such as Septra and Bactrim can result in fatal skin rashes, known as the Steven Johnson Syndrome. Victims to this disease may end up lying in burn units as their skin peels off their body. Clarithromycin (Biaxin) and erythromycin can increase the chances of fatal rapid heart beat called Torsades de Pointes. Both antibiotics can also result in temporary deafness.