Antibiotics and Colds

How many times have you asked your doctor for an antibiotic to treat a cold? A lot of people do that, even before the doctor has performed a physical exam or made a diagnosis, and doing so can create major problems. A recent study by the CDC found that many adults believe if they are sick enough to see a doctor for a cold, they should get antibiotic treatment. The study also found that these patients are not aware of what might result from taking the drugs if antibiotics are not needed.

If you take an antibiotic you don't need, you can end up with more serious health problems. One of those problems is antibiotic resistance. That means later you can end up with a disease caused by bacteria that resists the effects of an antibiotic.

Antibiotics cannot treat the common cold virus

Antibiotics don't work on the common cold. They fight bacteria-related illnesses. Colds, though, are caused by viruses, and so antibiotics won't do you any good. But they can do you harm. For example, some people (about 1 in every 40,000) can have an allergic reaction that could be fatal. Also, people taking antibiotics they do not need has led to the growth of several strains of common bacteria that are now antibiotic resistant. For these and other reasons, it is important to only use antibiotics in situations where they are needed.

Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections

Antibiotics are needed to treat infections and illnesses that are caused by bacteria. For example, they are used to treat such illnesses as bacterial bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, bacterial ear infection, or pink eye. When they are used properly, antibiotics can save people's lives.

Sometimes, a bacterial infection will follow a cold virus. Signs that you may have a bacterial infection after a cold are pain around the face and eyes along with thick yellow or green nasal mucus. Another sign is coughing up thick yellow or green mucus. These symptoms are common with a cold. But if they last for more than a week, you may have a bacterial infection.

Only your doctor can prescribe antibiotics. So talk to your doctor if you think you might need them (as opposed to taking a family member's leftover pills from last winter's illness). But remember, you don't need them for a cold virus, and, overusing antibiotics to fight colds has contributed to a global antibiotic resistance crisis.

Antibiotic resistance: A growing concern

According to the CDC, antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health problems. When bacteria are repeatedly exposed to antibiotics, for example when you take an antibiotic for common colds or take them too frequently, the germs in your body change. The germs get stronger, which lets them completely repel the antibiotic. When that happens, your illness will linger with no signs of getting better. Or your illness could suddenly take a turn for the worse. You may have to seek emergency medical care and even be admitted to the hospital and have several different antibiotics administered through your veins. Sadly, those around you may also get the resistant bacteria and come down with a similar illness that is difficult to treat.