When do you need to say 'no' to antibiotics?

Antibiotic abuse can lead to the emergence of drug-resistant "viruses" (uncontrollable bacteria even with the use of a combination of different drugs), a potentially dangerous problem. risk of death.

These times should not take antibiotics

Despite knowing that antibiotics cannot kill viruses and risk their abuse, many doctors often prescribe antibiotics to patients when they are not needed, according to a recent survey by the organization. Consumer Reports.

Many major health organizations, including the American Family Physicians Association and the American Society of Pediatricians, recently tried to correct antibiotic abuse by making recommendations about when and why not Use these drugs with some cases. As a general note, antibiotics only treat bacterial diseases and are useless in viral infections.

1. Ear infection

When antibiotics are not needed: Most cases of ear infections improve themselves without medication, especially in children 2 years and older and adults. Wait 2-3 days to see if the symptoms are relieved.

When antibiotics need to be used: Antibiotics should be used immediately for children 6 months of age and younger who have earache, children aged 6 months to 2 years with mild to severe ear pain symptoms and children aged 2 years and older up with severe symptoms.

Abuse of antibiotics can lead to the emergence of dangerous drug-resistant viruses.(Artwork: Health News).

2. Eczema (Eczema)

When antibiotics are not needed: Antibiotics do not help alleviate most causes of itching and redness. Instead, moisturize your skin or see a specialist for a prescription cream or ointment.

When you need antibiotics: You will need to take antibiotics if you have symptoms of infection, such as swelling or pustules, very red or warm skin, skin with honey-colored scales and fever.

3. Eye infection

When antibiotics are not needed: Doctors often prescribe prophylactic antibiotic eye drops after treating eye diseases, such as black spots, along with injections. However, antibiotic eye drops are rarely needed after such treatment and can irritate your eyes.

When you need antibiotics: If you have eye infections, manifested by redness, swelling, tearing, pus and poor vision, you may need to take antibiotics.

4. Respiratory infections

When antibiotics are not needed: Colds, flu and most coughs as well as bronchitis are caused by viruses and do not need to be treated with antibiotics. Acute pharyngitis is caused by bacteria, but only accounts for about one-third of cases of respiratory infections in children. If you suspect a sore throat, go to your doctor and ask for a test to be sure.

When you need antibiotics: You will need antibiotics if the coughing spells last more than 14 days or the results of a sore throat test are positive.

Antibiotics should not be used for viral illnesses.(Artwork: CCTV).

5. Sinus infection

When not using antibiotics: Sinusitis is usually caused by viruses. Cases of bacterial sinusitis usually clear themselves in a week or more even without treatment.

When antibiotics are needed: If the symptoms of sinusitis are severe, do not improve after 10 days or more and then get worse, this is when you need to take antibiotics as directed by a specialist.

6. Urinary tract infection

When antibiotics are not needed: For elderly patients, especially those with long-term inpatient care, doctors often prescribe antibiotics when the test results periodically detect bacteria in the water. cottage. However, if patients do not show symptoms, antibiotics will not help.

When antibiotics are needed: Taking antibiotics is inevitable if you have burning symptoms while urinating and needing to urinate too often.