Know about antibiotics used irrationally can cause side effects and also bigger threat of getting antibiotic resistance

by,  Dr Vikrant Shah, consulting physician, intensivist and infection disease specialist, Zen Multispeciality Hospital Chembur

Did you know? Does antibiotic resistance possess a threat to global health?

This is so because antibiotic resistance is rising in all parts of the world because of irrational use.

Here, we brief you about it. Read on!

It is no brainer that antibiotics when indicated and needed save lives and help you overcome fatal diseases.

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics can be termed as medicines that are taken for preventing and tackling bacterial infections that are caused by bacteria. The infections are treated by killing the bacteria or keeping them away from reproducing. Just list a few of infections which are treated with the help of antibiotics are whooping cough, bacterial pneumonia, skin, and dental infections and ear and sinus infections. You must also keep in mind that only bacterial infections can be dealt with antibiotics. Whereas, common cold, flu, allergic cough, or viral diarrhoea which one may suffer from owing to viruses can not and should not be treated by antibiotics.

What are the common side-effects of antibiotics?

The common side-effects that may arise due to antibiotics are nausea, vomiting, bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of appetite.

Thus, if you notice any of these symptoms mentioned above, then you MUST immediately visit the doctor. Also, keep in mind that you should not self-medicate. It is a strict no no as it can be more dangerous for you.

Yes, antibiotics surely are a powerful tool if used safely. But, remember that you shouldn’t go overboard. This is so because overuse of antibiotics can invite antibacterial resistance which tends to be a big threat as there are still no medications available to overcome them.

Hence, here we brief you all you need to know about antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance tends to occur naturally owing to the misuse of antibiotics and can affect anyone irrespective of their age. You will be shocked to know that due to antibiotic resistance, various kinds of infections like pneumonia or UTI can become difficult to treat as the overuse of the antibiotics can make the treatment difficult. Furthermore, there can be an increased hospital stay and mortality due to antibiotic resistance as this can be a threat in treating common infectious diseases.

Looking at the danger at which the antibiotic resistance level is rising. It is the need of the hour to take immediate action to tackle this rising problem.

This is how you can prevent antibiotic resistance

• You should only opt for using antibiotics when your doctor prescribed them.
• You should avoid asking to prescribe antibiotics, if your doctor tends to feel that you don’t need them.
• You should ONLY use antibiotics for a period of time recommended by your doctor. Don’t go overboard at any cost.
• You should make sure that you prevent infections by sticking to a good hand hygiene, by avoiding contact with sick people, and taking vaccinations from time to time.
• Taking antibiotics for a viral infection is not recommended at all.
• You must see to it that you don’t skip the doses.

Takeaway: It is essential to implement strategies for infection prevention, strengthen policies and programmes for dealing with antibiotics resistance.  Also, the proper use and disposal of those quality medicines can be regulated. Not only this, but people should also be educated about antibiotic resistance as it can help lower the impact of it. Take the necessary steps to enhance the quality of life.