Cold weather leads to an increase in upper respiratory infections and the emergence of symptoms such as: sneezing, coughing and stuffy nose, and many people may resort to antibiotics to treat these symptoms, but this is not always true, as the overuse of antibiotics is a big problem, in this report. We know 4 important facts about antibiotics, according to the American “Cliffend Clinic” website.
4 important facts about antibiotics
1. Antibiotics don’t work at all
Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria, but they do not work against infections caused by viruses. This means that they are not effective against influenza, colds, or the Corona virus.
In a recent poll, one in three Americans surveyed believed that antibiotics work effectively against the common cold, which is not true.
When you visit your doctor, be as specific as possible about all of your symptoms so he can narrow down the cause The first step is to find out if it is a bacterial or viral infection.
For example, symptoms such as a persistently high temperature, nasal discharge, and severe facial pain may indicate a bacterial sinus infection.
Most sinus infections are viral, but if these symptoms persist for several days without improvement, the cause may in fact be bacteria.
Likewise, the same high fever along with persistent ear pain may be signs of a bacterial ear infection. Either way, antibiotics may be appropriate.
But not all infections are bacterial, as nasal congestion and a mild fever may be signs of a virus, for example it is important to work with your doctor to get a diagnosis as clear as possible – then to follow appropriate treatment.
This treatment isn’t always with antibiotics. Sometimes, relieving symptoms while allowing your body to fight the virus is appropriate.
2. Taking unnecessary antibiotics may do more harm than good
Overuse of antibiotics causes bacteria to adapt and become resistant to the antibiotic. The bacteria become resistant to the drugs over time, which makes bacterial infections more difficult to treat. In rare cases, this leads to a fatal drug-resistant bacterial infection.
“Drug-resistant bacteria make it difficult to find effective drug options when you encounter a severe infection. When you are talking about large groups of people, this resistance can be dangerous, making it easier for the infection to spread.”
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3. Antibiotics do not suit everyone
The antibiotics that work to treat a UTI are different from those that fight strep throat, and the “broad spectrum” antibiotics used to fight infections in hospitals are not the same as the very specific antibiotics your doctor might prescribe for a bacterial ear infection.
Here’s why it’s important: If you take the wrong medication, it won’t be effective.
Moreover, it may have unpleasant and unwanted side effects.
In most cases, the side effects of the antibiotics are very benign. But, for example, taking these broad-spectrum antibiotics for an extended period of time may put you at risk of developing severe infections that are difficult to treat.
4. You should not keep the old antibiotics
If you have some antibiotics left over from the last time you fell ill, do not start taking them only for one reason, as mentioned above, different antibiotics treat different types of bacterial infections you cannot just assume that the remaining medicine will work and again, taking the wrong medicine when Not helping it means you risk side effects and drug resistance in the future.
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