Why do you know that antibiotics do not treat flu, many people continue to abuse?

Research shows that many doctors are prescribing antibiotics to please patients.

Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health. Right now, more than 700,000 people die each year due to the effects of antibiotic resistance. Without action, the number could increase to more than 10 million by 2050.

In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated in a report that humanity is really in the nightmare of antibiotic resistance. It is a serious threat and a major challenge for medicine in the moment. WHO said "do not act today, our future will have no cure".

Since then, many efforts have been made to prevent antibiotic resistance. In particular, prominently are public communication and education campaigns. People can get used to the slogans like "Don't use antibiotics when you have a flu ". But why are we still ignoring and antibiotics continue to be abused? The story turned out not simple.

"Colds? Flu? Take care of yourself not to use antibiotics".

What do patients know about antibiotics?

In 2015, for the first time, Vietnam launched a campaign on antibiotic resistance called " Communication Week on drug resistance ". In particular, Mr. Cao Hung Thai, Deputy Director, Department of Medical Examination and Management (Ministry of Health) pointed out the fact that the awareness of people and even health workers about antibiotics is very limited.

In Vietnam there are more than 30,000 private drug dealers. A survey by the Ministry of Health shows that 91% of rural pharmacies and 80% of urban pharmacies sell antibiotics without prescription. When symptoms are ill, many people will prefer to visit a private pharmacy near the home to "consult" a pharmacist rather than going to the hospital.

Antibiotics are often used to treat sore throat, bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia . However, many people do not know that besides bacteria, all of these diseases can be caused by viruses. In many cases even flu, patients also use antibiotics. But for viruses, antibiotics are useless .

Differentiating bacteria and viruses, antibiotics are still abused

Many campaigns on antibiotic resistance focus on the purpose of helping the public differentiate viruses and bacteria. By telling them that antibiotics are not effective against viruses, we hope people will not take antibiotics with viral diseases.

However, the fact shows that despite distinguishing viruses and bacteria, many people continue to abuse antibiotics . Their decision was explained by a theory called "Fuzzy Trace Theory". Accordingly, a medical action is performed based on how the patient feels about the risk.

For example, when sick, people often put on a scale with a "risky" action, the other is their current condition. If they are feeling bad, they choose to use antibiotics and may be cured, or they will do nothing and make sure the disease will get worse. So why not take a little risk?

On the doctor's side, the US study showed that patients' suggestions and expectations could influence their prescriptions. Many doctors are prescribing, when the patients suggest they need antibiotics. Even when the patient does not speak, the doctor still believes that antibiotics can please the sick. Therefore, more and more prescriptions of antibiotic abuse.

Research shows that many doctors are prescribing antibiotics to please patients

Therefore, the issue of focusing on public education is not the difference between viruses and bacteria. People need to eliminate two misconceptions: The first is the belief that antibiotics always bring a chance to recover. The second is that antibiotics do not cause harmful side effects. We need to be aware that using antibiotics is not just a bit risky, it's a big risk.

Using antibiotics is a big risk

Antibiotics are used to treat infections. But like any other drug, antibiotics are only effective when used correctly. When abused or misused, antibiotics can cause serious harm.

Common antibiotics have harmful side effects. Clostridium difficile can cause allergies or even secondary infections. About one in 2,000 prescriptions will have one patient in this dangerous condition.

Some common antibiotics are at risk of causing retinal detachment. Others cause severe arrhythmias. Antibiotics can also cause unwanted effects like diarrhea, colitis, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea or headache.

Using antibiotics when you have a flu is a big risk

Repeated use of antibiotics can cause the risk of drug resistance in each patient. As a result, they will have difficulty in later treatment, increase hospital stay and medical expenses. Can spread among bacteria and therefore will harm the community.

Conclude

In short, now is the time when we should not consider antibiotics as "medicinal herbs" to treat panacea. Not only does it have no effect on the treatment of viral diseases, antibiotics can also cause many harmful side effects. " Don't use antibiotics when you have the flu ", generalize the slogan, you should know that continuing to abuse antibiotics is harmful to yourself and the community.