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Understanding Antibiotics: Amidst
cold and flu season, many rush to a doctor for an antibiotic at the
first sign of the sniffles. However, antibiotics cannot cure the
common cold, and they are often over-prescribed causing more problems.
Please read this article for more information on antibiotics and their
appropriate use. |
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UNDERSTANDING
ANTIBIOTICS:
Antibiotics, also known as
antimicrobial drugs, are drugs that fight
infections caused by bacteria. Alexander
Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin, in 1927.
Now there are over 100 different antibiotics available to doctors to cure
minor illnesses as well as life-threatening infections.
Antibiotic resistance has been noted
as one of the world’s most concerning health problems.
When people have common infections that once were easily treatable with
antibiotics, the problems can be very serious.
If a person develops a resistance to antibiotics, often the illnesses
stay around longer. Many more
doctor visits or extended hospital stays may be needed to treat the patient.
And some very resistant infections need more expensive and toxic
medications. Some resistant
infections can cause death. Sick
individuals aren’t the only people who can suffer.
Families and entire communities feel the impact when disease-causing
germs become resistant to antibiotics.
These antibiotic-resistant bacteria
can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates, and co-workers.
When antibiotics no longer work, an entire community could become
threatened with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to
cure and more expensive to treat.
IS
IT A VIRUS OR A COLD?
Did you know that colds, flu, most
sore throats, and bronchitis are caused by viruses?
Antibiotics do not help fight viruses.
Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of
getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Antibiotics kill bacteria, nor
viruses such as:
·
Colds or flu
·
Most coughs and bronchitis
·
Sore throats not caused by
strep
·
Runny noses
Taking antibiotics for viral
infections, such as cold, cough, the flu, or most bronchitis, will NOT:
·
Cure the infections
·
Keep other individuals from
catching the illness
·
Help you feel better
COMMON
SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTICS
Some of the more common side effects
may include mild stomach upset or pain, soft stools or diarrhea. You should notify your doctor if you have any of the
following side effects:
·
Vomiting
·
Severe watery diarrhea and
abdominal cramps
·
Allergic reaction (shortness
of breath, hives, swelling of your lips,
face, or tongue, fainting)
·
Vaginal itching or discharge
·
White patches on your tongue
WHAT
TO DO?
·
Talk to your healthcare
provider about antibiotic resistance.
·
Take your medication exactly
as the doctor tells you. Complete
the
prescribed course even if you are feeling better.
If treatment
stops too early, some bacteria may survive and
re-infect you.
·
Make sure your children take
all medication as prescribed, even if
they feel better.
·
Throw away any leftover
medication once you have completed your
prescription.
WHAT
NOT TO DO:
·
Do not take an antibiotic for
a viral infection like a cold, a cough, or
the flu.
·
Do not demand antibiotics
when a doctor says they are not
needed.
·
They will not help treat your
infection.
WHEN
YOU ARE PRESCRIBED AN ANTIBIOTIC:
·
Do not skip doses.
·
Do not save any antibiotics
for the next time you get sick.
·
Do not take antibiotics
prescribed for someone else. The
antibiotic
may not be appropriate for
your illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct
treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.
Antibiotics will not fight viruses
that cause colds and flu.
If you have a cold or the flu, fluids and plenty of rest are best.
Information
collected from Centers of Disease Control (CDC)
Call
1-800-CDC-INFO
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