- By Iram Hussain
- Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Antibiotics are a commonly used medication and are also regarded as lifesaving medications. Misuse of antibiotics is very rampant. Many times, antibiotics are used in conditions like - their use is not indicated, consumption of incorrect doses, inadequate durations of intake and even the wrong choices of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem and we are not different from them. Misuse of antibiotics significantly contributes to antibiotic resistance. Many times we see that antibiotics are used as a self-medication for the treatment of simple infections like the common cold, flu, etc. Usually, these infections are caused by viruses, not by bacteria. Antibiotics are meant to kill bacteria, not viruses.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Rajesh Bharadwaj, Anesthesia and Critical Care, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad explained the reason to not use antibiotics for viral infections.
Why Don’t Antibiotics Work on Viruses?
The main purpose of anti-antibiotics is to fight bacteria and not viruses. One primary difference can be found in their structure. Bacteria have cell walls that are targeted by antibiotics, which break them down and kill the bacteria. On the other hand, viruses are much smaller and are surrounded by a protein coating which makes antibiotics completely ineffective against viral infections.
The Risks of Misusing Antibiotics
Antibiotics are only helpful when they are properly used (right choice, right dose, right duration). It is often observed that antibiotics are not taken for the right duration (incomplete course) this increases the chance of developing antibiotic resistance by the bacteria which means that this antibiotic will not work against these particular bacteria. Many of us have heard about the SUPERBUG - bacteria resistant to many or all available antibiotics. We have very limited options for treating multiple drug-resistant bacteria.
Antibiotics are not free from side effects. Side effects of antibiotics can vary from simple allergic reactions and diarrhoea to life-threatening complications. This will add further problems to illness rather than solving it. Thus, it becomes essential to use them responsibly. Antibiotics should only be used when they are prescribed by a doctor.
Here are some tips that can be followed for the appropriate use of antibiotics-
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice- Antibiotics should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor. Only the doctor is able to correctly determine if the illness is caused by bacteria and if it requires antibiotics or not.
Complete the Full Course- The entire prescription should be finished, even after one starts getting better. If the course is not completed that can result in some bacteria being left alive and they may become resistant.
Don’t Share or Save Antibiotics- It is important that other antibiotics or leftover antibiotics are not used as medication. Antibiotics are prescribed specifically for infections and in specific doses.
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