What are antibiotics?

The use of antibiotics began with the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1927. Antibiotics are drugs that help your body kill the bacteria causing the infection. Bacteria are microscopic bugs that cause problems such as skin infections, lung infections, and bladder infections. Viruses are even smaller bugs that cause problems like the common cold, the flu, bronchitis, and ear infections. The problem with viruses is that antibiotics have no effect.

The benefits

If you have a true bacterial infection, antibiotics are very effective and can be life saving.
These benefits are greatly reduced when antibiotics are taken for viral infections or are taken inappropriately. In the case of inappropriate use, antibiotics may do more harm than good.

Can antibiotics be harmful?

Using antibiotics has risks that need to be considered. Most antibiotics cause diarrhea. A serious type of infectious diarrhea is becoming more common due to the overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics can also cause other side effects such as an upset stomach, vomiting, or tiredness which can be worse than the symptoms that you had before you took the antibiotic. These side effects can often be helped with methods such as taking certain antibiotics with food.

Antibiotic resistance

Some people say that they are “resistant” to a certain antibiotics. Actually, it is the specific bacteria that become resistant to the antibiotic. Bacteria are very smart bugs and they can change themselves so that certain antibiotics will not kill them. The more you take an antibiotic, the more likely you will be infected with resistant bacteria. These infections can be very difficult to treat and can even require hospitalization to receive more potent IV antibiotics.

How you can prevent resistance

Resistance can be combated by:

  1. Taking the antibiotics exactly as prescribed even if you are feeling better. Even though you may be feeling better, some bacteria may still be alive which could then re-infect you.
  2. If for some reason you have some of your antibiotic left, do not save it for the next time you get sick. Throw it away as soon as possible.
  3. You should never use other another person’s antibiotic since it may not be effective against the bacteria causing your problem.
  4. Be understanding when your physician decides NOT to prescribe an antibiotic.

What can I do for the symptoms of a viral infection?

Since doctors and pharmacists are trying to avoid antibiotics for viral infections, here are some tips for fighting the symptoms of a viral infection.

  1. Get plenty of sleep
  2. Drink plenty of fluids
  3. Try ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen to relieve pain or fever
  4. Sore throats can be soothed with ice chips, lozenges, or sore throat sprays.

Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) recommends that cough and cold over-the-counter medications NOT be used in children under 4 years of age.

 

For more information about the safe and responsible use of antibiotics please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website

 

Written by Andrew C. Kline, Pharm.D. Edited by ProfJameson