Mumbai : It is very common to pop in an antibiotic if there is cold, cough or diarrhea for that matter.
Well the bad news is popping an antibiotic each time you feel there is something wrong with your body can actually make your body “Antibiotic Resistant” which means that antibiotic will no longer show any effects when there will be an actual need.
Running nose, fever and cough can be due to viral infection in your body, antibiotic cannot kill viruses .Having antibiotics in such cases will go in vain.
Researchers have come up with a new studies where it has been proved that having overdose of antibiotics can also destroy the Good bacteria of your body which can further lead to other issues.
So next time you have a problem, do think before taking an antibiotic.
Benefits of Antibiotics
Antibiotics have played a very significant role in treating patients. They prevent infections during chronic medical conditions especially during chemotherapy as there are higher chances of patient developing infections as the immune system of body is compromised. Antibiotics also give assistance during diabetes, renal failure, arthritis and other complex organ surgeries.
Overuse
As early as 1945, Sir Alexander Fleming raised the alarm regarding antibiotic overuse when he warned that the “public will demand… then it was the beginning of an era of abuses. The overuse of antibiotics will drive the evolution of resistance.
Frequently using antibiotics can cause the bacteria to transform in such a way that antibiotics do not work against them. This is called “Antibiotic resistance”. You may need stronger antibiotics to kill this resistant bacteria.
How to avoid overusage of antibiotics
Opt for antibiotics only for bacterial infections, consult your doctor before taking any antiobiotic. Try to know the reason behind your illness (it may be a viral invasion). Practice good hygiene, to avoid bacterial infections that need antibiotictreatment.
Some of the common viral infections that don’t benefit from antibiotic treatment include:
- Cold
- Flu (influenza)
- Bronchitis
- Most coughs
- Some ear infections
- Some sinus infections
- Stomach flu
