Lay off antibiotics

Dr Tendai Zuze Health Matters
YOUR head throbs, your nose is stuffy and you are exhausted. You are probably coming down with a cold or the flu. But if you think that antibiotics will help you feel better, think again. Antibiotics won’t do a thing for viral illnesse such as colds, flu and most sore throats. And overusing or misusing antibiotics can do more harm than good by leading to antibiotic resistance. If you have a viral illness, don’t pressure your doctor for antibiotics. Instead, talk with your doctor about ways to relieve your symptoms.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when antibiotics no longer work against disease-causing bacteria. These infections are difficult to treat and can mean longer lasting illnesses, more doctor visits or extended hospital stays, and the need for more expensive and toxic medications. Some resistant infections can even cause death. Although experts are working to develop new antibiotics and other treatments to keep pace with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, infectious organisms can adapt quickly. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria will continue to be a global health concern — and using antibiotics wisely is important for preventing their spread.

Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections, certain fungal infections and some kinds of parasites. Bacterial infections usually include bladder infections, many wound and skin infections, severe sinus infections, some ear infections and streptococcal sore throat. Common viral infections include bronchitis, colds, flu, most coughs, most ear infections, most sore throats and winter diarrhoea in children.

If antibiotics are used too often for things they can’t treat — like colds and flu — not only are they of no benefit, they become less effective against the bacteria they’re intended to treat.

Not taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed also leads to problems. For example, if you take an antibiotic for only a few days — instead of the full course — the antibiotic may wipe out some, but not all, of the bacteria. The surviving bacteria become more resistant and can be spread to other people. When bacteria become resistant to first line treatments, the risk of complications and death is increased.

The failure of first line antibiotics also means that doctors have to resort to less conventional medications, many of which are more costly and associated with more-serious side-effects. For instance, the drugs needed to treat drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (TB) are much more expensive than are the drugs used to treat non-resistant TB. The course of treatment is longer, up to two years, and the side-effects can be severe.

Other consequences are the increased costs associated with prolonged illnesses, including expenses for additional tests, treatments and hospitalisation, and indirect costs, such as lost income.

Repeated and improper use of antibiotics is the primary cause of the increase in the number of drug-resistant bacteria. Here’s what you can do to promote proper use of antibiotics:

Understand when antibiotics should be used. Don’t expect to take antibiotics every time you’re sick. Antibiotics are effective in treating most bacterial infections, but they’re not useful against viral infections, such as colds, acute bronchitis or the flu. And even some common bacterial ailments, such as mild ear infections, don’t benefit much from antibiotics.

Don’t pressure your doctor for antibiotics if you have a viral illness. Instead, talk with your doctor about ways to relieve your symptoms — for instance, a saline nasal spray to clear a stuffy nose or a mixture of warm water, lemon and honey to temporarily soothe a sore throat.

Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking medication. Don’t stop treatment a few days early because you’re feeling better. Taking the full course of antibiotics is the only way to kill all of the harmful bacteria. A shortened course of antibiotics, on the other hand, often wipes out only the most vulnerable bacteria while allowing relatively resistant bacteria to survive.

Never take antibiotics without a prescription. If you didn’t complete a full course of antibiotics, you might be tempted to use the leftover medication the next time you get sick or to pass it along to someone else. But this isn’t a good idea. For one thing, the antibiotic might not be appropriate for another illness. And even if it is, you’re not likely to have enough pills to combat the germs making you sick, which can lead to more resistant bacteria.

Prevent the spread of germs. Good hygiene goes a long way in preventing infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, changing a diaper, or handling raw meat or poultry. Keep food preparation areas clean. Although special antibacterial cleaners and soap are widely available, they aren’t necessary.

Plain soap and water work fine to kill germs in most settings.

Get recommended vaccinations. Ask your doctor if you have all of the vaccinations you need to protect yourself from illness. Getting vaccinated will help prevent having to take more medications.

Antibiotic resistance is a global health problem.