I think that it is an issue for parents in general but Cameron himself described sharp elbowed middle class parents wanting the best for their kids over all others. I will accept that it is not 100% class driven, and many middle class are very relaxed about the issue.

I have very rarely had anti-biotics, I can't remember the last time.

I try to avoid all medication, when I can. I was put on Alopurinal for my gout, but I've weaned myself back off of it - I didn't like the side effect of having to wear glasses due to blurred vision, now I don't have to wear them any more. The doctor now wants to check my blood again, as I haven't needed the tablets in about 6 months...

I havent had antibiotics for a long time tbh. Nic just had a course for sinusitis though.

I think the last time I had antibiotics was from the dentist and was several years ago. I had amoxycilin (sp?) quite frequently as a child as I got tonsillitis quite a lot but I can't remember the last time I had it as an adult.
My Mum is a pharmacist so 'Thou shalt finish the course of medication' has been drummed into me from birth.

We definitely need to get kids back outside playing in the mud and exposed to a nice big range of sources of infection. The allergy rate would plummet in the medium to long term.

Also, does anyone else nearly shout at the telly when the advert for the Detol hand soap pump thing comes on? Aaaargh! Never touch a germy hand pump again! What, that makes no sense what so ever. If you use a soap dispenser then logic follows that you will be washing your hands in pretty short order afterwards. All goes towards creating the fear factor that's lead to such antiseptic lives.

It's not going to make too much difference to me. Antibiotics are becoming decreasingly effective because I've had to have them (for valid reasons) a fair amount over the last 4-5 years.

Which is exactly what happened to my grandfather.

Think I've only used them once for a cold that just wouldn't shift...

There really should be a range of placebos that can be given out freely that will ease the pressure on doctors being asked for them. The problem is that people do not complete the treatment if they are felling better that allows the bacteria to develop resistance.

I can see the headlines now..."Patient dies after GP prescribes placebo". GP's need to grow a pair if they're really frightened about having to say "no" to medication requests. And TBH, I'm not sure that they do just hand out medication for an easy life.

I would expect such a headline, even if it was irrelevant to the persons death, like getting run over. Yes GPs do need to say no, though I have never asked for antibiotics. Patients can be demanding.

the problem is the quietest ones are the poorest and the ones who don't need antibiotics shout the loudest, hence will get some. Not all GPs give out antibiotics willy-nilly but some do and these are the ones who need to be tackled.