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| Thursday Sep 27, 2012 |
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Antibiotic Resistance and Its Use In Colds/Flu
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English | 中文 |
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| ABOUT ANTIBIOTICS |
Since antibiotics were discovered over 50 years ago, they have saved the lives of millions
of people from infectious diseases.
Most infections are caused by bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics are drugs that can kill
bacteria, but do not work against viruses.
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| WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE? |
There are many different kinds of bacteria which are constantly changing. When a bacteria
becomes "resistant" to an antibiotic, that medicine can no longer kill that bacteria.
With the widespread use of antibiotics in the world today, increasing antibiotic resistance is
becoming a serious problem in recent years. There are now some bacteria (often called
"superbugs") that have become resistant to all antibiotics available today and
are untreatable. This has happened even though newer and "more powerful"
antibiotics are being developed. A person who becomes infected with resistant bacteria may
become very ill or even die.
Repeated and unnecessary use of antibiotics are some of the main reasons for the recent
increase in resistant bacteria. That is why it is important to take antibiotics only when
we need them.
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| WHEN DO I NEED AN ANTIBIOTIC? |
Your doctor is the best person to decide if an antibiotic is required, and if so,
what kind of antibiotic would work best depending on the type of infection being treated.
Viral infections are not helped by antibiotics, including most colds and "flu".
Colds and "flu"
- Colds may cause mild fever, cough, and a stuffy or runny nose. Influenza
("flu") can cause high fever, chills, muscle aches and fatigue. Most of
the time a cold or flu will get better on its own, which usually takes 1 to 2 weeks,
and rest with plenty of fluids is important.
- Over-the-counter cold medication (decongestants, cough medicine) or Chinese herbal
teas for colds can help to alleviate symptoms. Antibiotics do not cure colds or flu.
"Strep throat"
- Most sore throats are caused by viruses. However, some are caused by a bacteria
called streptococcus, which does need to be treated with antibiotics in order to prevent
the possible complication of rheumatic fever.
- Symptoms of "strep throat" often include fever, sore throat, and
´swollen glands´ in the neck. However, even a doctor cannot always tell
just by looking if a sore throat is caused by strep. A simple lab test (throat culture)
can show if a person has strep throat.
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| Ear Infections |
- Colds sometimes lead to ear infections, especially in young children.
Symptoms are usually earache, fever, and in babies - pulling on the ear and irritability.
- There are different kinds of ear infections. Some (bacterial middle ear infections)
need to be treated with antibiotics. If untreated, complications such as hearing loss,
speech delay in children, and even meningitis can occur.
- Sometimes fluid can persist in the middle ear for several weeks after a cold or ear
infection. This usually resolves on its own and do no need treatment.
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| Sinus Infections (Sinusitis) |
- A runny or congested (stuffy) nose with thick yellow or green mucus (discharge)
from the nose are usually part of a cold and does not mean antibiotics are required.
- However, if symptoms which last more than 2 weeks or when there is also fever or
pain in the face or teeth, bacterial sinus infection may be present, and antibiotics
may be required. Untreated infections can result in chronic sinusitis, with persistent
symptoms which do not respond well to treatment when left for too long.
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| Coughs |
- Coughs may last long after other signs of a cold are gone. Most coughs do not
require treatment.
- However, you should see a doctor if the cough is very bad or getting worse,
or if there is high fever, chest pain or difficulty breathing. Sometimes antibiotics
are required to treat complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
- People with chronic lung disease, asthma, and smokers are more prone to bacterial
infections which may follow a cold or flu.
People with asthma, smokers with chronic lung disease and the elderly should consult
their doctor early for signs of illness.
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| WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR? |
- High fever (over 39 ºC or 102 ºF) or persistent fever lasting more than 3 days (in a baby younger than 6 months of age, contact a doctor about any temperature above normal (>37 ºC, or 98.6 ºF)
- Sore throat lasting more than 3 days
- Earache (pulling on ears, irritability in babies)
- Chest discomfort or difficulty breathing
- If symptoms of a cold or flu last longer than 2 weeks
- Appears very ill
- Suddenly gets worse
- People with asthma, smokers with chronic lung disease and the elderly should consult their doctor early for signs of illness
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| HELPFUL ADVICE |
- Do not start taking antibiotics on your own without consulting a doctor.
- Finish taking all the medicine prescribed.
- Stopping the antibiotic too soon can kill the weakest bacteria but leave the strongest behind.
- Don't save antibiotics to use at another time.
- Let your doctor know if there are any side effects from the medicine, such as skin rash or diarrhea.
- NEVER give aspirin (ASA) to a baby, child, or teenager unless a doctor orders it, because aspirin can be dangerous for children with some kinds of infections.
- Annual flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine are recommended for the elderly (over age 65), people with asthma, chronic lung or heart disease, and chronic illness.
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