Health Officials Discuss When to Take Antibiotics

TUPELO, Miss. (Press Release) — When you are sick, you want to feel better fast. But antibiotics aren’t always the answer.

Bacteria or Virus?

Jeff Brown, D.O., a family physician at Barnes Crossing Urgent Care, explains that most illnesses are caused by two kinds of germs: bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics can cure bacterial infections, he said, but not viral infections. Bacteria cause strep throat, some pneumonia and sinus infections. Antibiotics can work on bacteria.

Viruses cause common illnesses that antibiotics cannot treat, like:

• Colds
• Influenza (the flu)
• Runny noses
• Most coughs
• Most bronchitis
• Most sore throats
• Most sinus infections
• Some ear infections

Dr. Brown said viral illnesses usually go away without treatment in a week or two. When an antibiotic is not prescribed, ask your doctor or pharmacist what can be used to relieve symptoms.

“Using antibiotics for a virus won’t cure the infection, help you feel better nor keep others from catching your illness,” he added. “Even bacterial infections such as sinusitis will generally improve with symptomatic treatment and are usually only treated with antibiotics if the symptoms have lasted longer than 10 days.”

The Risk

What’s the harm in taking antibiotics anytime?

“Using antibiotics when they are not needed causes some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic,” Brown said. “These resistant bacteria are stronger and harder to kill. They can stay in your body and cause severe illnesses that cannot be cured with antibiotics.”

A cure for resistant bacteria may require stronger treatment – and possibly a stay in the hospital.

To avoid the threat of antibiotic-resistant infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics.

“Taking any prescription drug carries potential risks,” Brown said. “Antibiotics should only be used when your doctor determines they are needed.”

Protect Yourself

Antibiotics shouldn’t be used to treat the common cold or the flu. “If your doctor prescribes antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection – such as strep throat – be sure to take all the medicine,” he said. “Only using part of the prescription means that only part of the infection has been treated. Not finishing the medicine can cause resistant bacteria to develop. Strep throat, urinary infections, some ear infections and pneumonia are typically the infections that require antibiotics.”

For more information about antibiotic use, talk to your health care provider or visit www.cdc.gov/getsmart.