Antibiotics

Antibiotics are now a days over prescribed by doctors, even where patient does not need still they are  prescribed. The overuse of antibiotics is harmful for the body.

There is news item in today’s print media that one hospital in Kochi has managed to cut down the use of restricted antibiotics by  as much 86%. The restricted antibiotics are considered as the last resort for seriously ill patients. Even doctors at a premier hospital in Mumbai ask patients to take antibiotics for only one day prior to surgery, against the earlier practice of taking for few days. In a few hospitals in Mumbai, every time a restricted antibiotics is prescribed, a team of doctors, including a pharmacist, check the patient’s file, looking for justification.

HOW ANTIBIOTICS WORK

Antibiotics, first used in the 1940s, are certainly one of the greatest invention in the medicine field. But over  prescribing them has resulted in the development of resistant bacteria, that do not respond to antibiotics, that might have worked  earlier. Plus, specially whenever  you take antibiotics you may have the risk of side  effects, such as upset stomach and diarrhea or even an allergic reactions.

Let us see how the antibiotics work, for that first we have to know about  the 2 major types of germs that can make people sick : they are bacteria and virus. In certain cases both virus and bacteria can cause diseases with similar symptoms, but way these two organism multiply and spread sickness are different:

• Bacteria are living organism existing as single cells. They are everywhere and mostly do not cause any harm, and in some cases they may be beneficial. Lactobacillus, for example, lives in the intestine and helps digest the food. But some bacteria are harmful and cause illness by invading the human body, multiplying and interfering with normal body process. antibiotics are effective against these bacteria because they work to kill these living organisms by stopping their growth and reproduction.
• Viruses on the other hand, can not exist of their own because they are not alive- they are particles containing genetic material wrapped in protein coating. They grow and reproduce only if they are invaded/attacked by other living cells. The body immune system can fight off some viruses before they cause illness, but others must simply run their course. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Classic example is normal colds.

Now  Why It Is Harmful To Overuse Antibiotics

Now taking antibiotics for colds and other viral illnesses not only it will not work, but it can also have dangerous side effects- over the time this overuse may actually help create bacteria that are harder to nullify/kill. Frequent and  improper use of antibiotics can cause bacteria or other  microbes to change, so antibiotics will not work against them. This is called bacterial resistance or resistance to antibiotic. treating this resistant bacteria requires higher doses of medicine or stronger antibiotics. Because of antibiotic overuse, certain bacteria have become resistant to even the most powerful antibiotics, which are available in the market.

Antibiotic resistance is widespread problem, and this is termed as “one of the world’s most pressing public health problems.” Bacteria that were few decade back were highly responsive to antibiotics have now become resistant. Among these that are becoming harder to treat are  infections which cause pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, TB and skin infections and even meningitis. In addition to resistance, overuse can lead to other problems. Antibiotic kills many bacteria, even the good ones that keep the body healthy. Antibiotic consumption, sometimes can cause diarrhea due to lack of good bacteria, that generally helps in digesting the food.

Taking Antibiotics Safely

So what should you do when you get sick? To minimise the risk of bacterial resistance, keep these things in mind

• take antibiotics only for bacterial infections- It is good idea to let milder illnesses ( specially viral one) run their course. This helps in  preventing antibiotic resistant germs to develop. But leave it to your doctor to decide if an illness is mild or not. Even if the symptoms do not get worst but do last for while, please visit the doctor.
• seek advice and ask question- ask your doctor about whether sickness is bacterial or viral, and discuss with doctor the risks and benefits of antibiotics. if it is viral, ask about  what are the ways to treat the symptoms. Never pressure your doctor to prescribe antibiotics.

Please remember that antibiotics can only treat bacterial infection, if taken for the full amount of time prescribed by the doctor. The medicines take time to work, so do not expect to feel better with the first dose. Secondly never take antibiotics longer than prescribed. Secondly never use antibiotics lying in your home, and never take antibiotics prescribed for your friends or other members of the family. Take only what your doctor has prescribed for particular illness of yours.

You and you only can help yourself against the overuse of antibiotics.

Friends I hope, this general information on antibiotics will be useful for you.

waiting for your feed backs/views/comments.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

21st Nov 2018