The Risks Inherent In Antibiotics

Throughout the year we suffer from illnesses, colds, sore throats and viral infections that we intend to treat with antibiotics. Sometimes we go to the doctor expecting him to prescribe them. But it is not always the best option due to the risks inherent in antibiotics.

How antibiotics work

This drug was used for the first time from the year 1940, and it has been one of the great advances in medicine. However, abuse can develop resistant bacteria . This is one of the inherent risks of antibiotics.

Another important factor is that of side effects. For example, if children take antibiotics, they are at risk of possible side reactions, such as stomach pain and diarrhea. It can also be the case of allergies.

Virus and bacteria

There are two types of germs that can affect our health: bacteria and viruses. Both have similar symptoms, and the way these types of microorganisms multiply and develop is also similar.

Bacteria

Bacteria are living microorganisms that live independently as cells. They are found in many places, and they are not always harmful to our body. This is the case of  lactobacillus , which live in the intestine and help us with the digestion of food.

In some cases, bacteria are harmful and can cause disease by invading the human body, when they mix in the normal processes of the body.

In this case, the effectiveness of antibiotics is great. This is because they prevent microorganisms from growing and developing.

Virus

Viruses cannot exist independently. These are particles with genetic material wrapped in a covering. Its growth and reproduction occurs after having invaded living cells.

Our immune system can fight some viruses before they affect the body. Antibiotics alone are not effective in fighting viruses.

Inherent risks of antibiotics

Taking antibiotics for colds and other viral illnesses is useless. But the worst thing is that one of the inherent risks of antibiotics is the negative effects for the future.

As we anticipated, they can enhance the development of resistant bacteria. Frequent and inappropriate use of antibiotics can mutate and adapt to bacteria or other microbes.  Thus, antibiotics are no longer useful to fight them.

This is called “bacterial resistance” or “antibiotic resistance.” In that case, fighting these resistant bacteria will require higher doses of stronger drugs or antibiotics.

In addition to this resistance, abusive use causes other risks inherent to antibiotics. Among them the following can be highlighted:

• Antibiotics can kill many different bacteria, bad and good, even those that are good for a healthy body.
• It is the case that taking antibiotics can cause a person to develop diarrhea due to the lack of beneficial bacteria that help to digest food well.

Thus, it is best to look for substitutes. The more antibiotics we use to treat simple diseases such as colds, flu or other viral infections in an ineffective way, the more useless they will be in fighting the bacteria they are trying to treat. The consequence may be more visits to the doctor.

When to take antibiotics?

You only need to take antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. In the case of mild infections, especially those caused by a virus, they must be allowed to continue their course.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the development of germs resistant to antibiotics. It will be up to the doctor to make the decision, depending on whether it is a mild disease or not. On the other hand, there are very interesting natural antibiotics.

Ask and ask for advice. We can collect information from the doctor about whether the disease we have or our child has is bacterial or viral. But we should never push for a prescription for antibiotics. It is the doctor who has the knowledge.

On the other hand, it is not a good idea to use leftover antibiotics that are around the house, nor is it a good idea to use medication prescribed for someone else. Leftover antibiotics should be discarded as soon as possible, when there is improvement and treatment can be terminated.