Irresponsible Opinion based Medical Advice

This morning I came across an article in a parenting magazine. It was giving advice to parents regarding the use of antibiotics in children. It was touting some study that found that the use of antibiotics in babies may be a cause of childhood asthma. Articles like this PISS ME OFF! They are reminiscent of the autism scare over vaccinations. They spew this junk science, and then leave parents thinking that they shouldn't trust doctors, and that THEY are making decisions that could potentially harm their child. These types of articles are highly IRRESPONSIBLE: 1) authors of articles like these assume that all parents that read their articles have the same level of knowledge, education, and self efficacy. 2) they also assume that the those reading their articles have the same type of relationship with their medical practitioner that they do. 3)they are using their opinions/experiences regarding medical care as the basis for their advice. 4) they are setting themselves and their medical expert contributors as authority type figures when it comes to medical care.
First of all, each person; man, woman and child is an individual. The advice and care that a person receives from a licensed medical practitioner is specific to that person. If the doctor recommends a vaccination, or other type of treatment, follow their advice. If you have a concern or question, or you want to discuss the latest medical buzz, then talk to your medical practitioner. If he or she is unwilling to discuss it with you, then find another practitioner. Playing with your health, and especially the health of a baby is dangerous in so many unforeseen ways. A great example of this is whooping cough. I couldn't imagine watching my infant or young child suffering with, and possibly dying from a completely preventable disease, all because some idiot spewing junk science told me that vaccinating my child causes autism. Laying that kind of burden on parents is absolutely criminal!
It is awesome to be informed, and engaged and inquisitive about the things that go on in our family: about education, medical care, nutrition and etc.; however, throwing the latest junk science out there as fact, just because you subscribe to its general philosophy is horrible practice. With that, here is my advice: if you are not a physician, if you are not posting an article in a medical based journal, perhaps you should think about whether the advice in your opinion piece is helpful or potentially harmful. Better yet, just leave the practice of dispensing medical advice to medical practitioners. PERIOD!