You might seek out antibiotic treatment
for relief from an illness such as sore throat, nasal congestion or coughing.
Misuse and overuse of antibiotics may have serious effects.
Here are the answers to common questions
about antibiotics.Remember if you ever have questions please consult your UIC Pharmacist.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medications used to treat
many kinds of infections. Antibiotics work by eliminating bacteria and some
fungi. Bacteria is a simple term for organisms that can be found not only in
natural environments but also in your body. In general, bacteria are harmless
and a necessary part of life.
However, bacteria can cause diseases when they have access to your body
and/or multiply more rapidly than your body can respond. Bacteria can infect
all parts of your body including the eyes, ears, throat, lungs, stomach, colon,
genitals, bones, blood, and brain.
When do I need antibiotics?
Antibiotics are strong medications used
to treat infections, but antibiotics should not be used to treat everything.
Viral infections such as colds, the flu, hepatitis, herpes, and HIV cannot be
treated with antibiotics. Even some mild infections such as ear infections, do
not need antibiotics. The common symptoms of bacterial infections are malaise, fever, chills,
swelling, discharge, severe pain, diarrhea, or vomiting. However, these
symptoms can be due to non-bacterial illnesses as well. Thus, it is best to
check with your doctor if you think you may have a bacterial infection.
Physical examination and sometimes laboratory tests can determine whether the
illness is a bacterial infection or not, and then doctors can treat you
properly.
Why do I get different antibiotics
for treating different infections?
Each class of antibiotics kills bacteria
in a unique way. Some antibiotics can kill bacteria by interrupting part of
their reproductive process and some slow their growth. Your doctor will choose
the best antibiotic based on your illness.
What are common side effects I may
experience while I am taking antibiotics?
The most common side effects of
antibiotics are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
When do I know I am allergic to
antibiotics and what should I do?
An allergic reaction may occur with use
of antibiotics. The most common signs and symptoms of a drug allergy are:
- Hives
- Rash
- Fever
- Itching
- Facial swelling
- Shortness of breath
Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction,
may also occur and symptoms include tightness of the airways and throat,
nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and low blood
pressure.
Stop your medication immediately and talk
to your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of a drug allergy. Mild
allergic reactions are treated by stopping medication and substituting with
another antibiotic, while severe reactions or suspected anaphylaxis requires
emergency treatment.
Can I stop taking antibiotics or
re-take antibiotics when I feel better or sick?
Follow your doctor’s directions
carefully. Taking the full course of antibiotics is the only way to kill all
harmful bacteria. If you did not complete all antibiotics, some bacteria may be
left in your body, which can multiply and become strong enough to resist the
antibiotic in the future. In addition, it is never a good idea not take all of
your antibiotics. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for the future
infection. Even if it is, you may not have enough pills to kill bacteria, which
causes antibiotic resistance.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is when antibiotics
no longer work to kill bacteria because antibiotics are used too often or used
inappropriately. Bacteria can adapt or modify their structure, so that
antibiotics can no longer kill them. As a result, the bacteria continues to be
present in the body to cause infection.
Why should I be worried about
antibiotic resistance?
If you take antibiotics that cannot fight
the bacteria they are supposed to kill, your infection can last longer and be
harder to treat. You might have to see your doctor more frequency. You might
have to take different medications or stay in the hospital to get stronger
antibiotics. In addition, your family members or other people you come into
contact with will be exposed to the resistant bacteria you have. Then, these
people might develop antibiotic-resistant infections as well.
How can I prevent antibiotic
resistance?
- Discuss the appropriate medication for your illness with
your doctor and avoid overusing or misusing antibiotics.
- Do not take an antibiotic for a viral
infection such as a cold or the flu.
- Take antibiotics exactly as your doctor
tells you. Do not skip doses. Complete the full course of treatment, even if
symptoms disappear. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and
cause a re-infection.
- Do not save any antibiotics for the next
time you get sick. If your doctor has prescribed more than the required dose,
discard any leftover medication once you have completed the course of
treatment.
- Do not share antibiotics with family or
friends, even if you have the same symptoms. The antibiotic may not be
appropriate for you illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct
treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.
- Finally, you should not demand
antibiotics when your doctor has determined they are not needed.
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get Smart: Know
Antibiotics Work. http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/ Updated August 15, 2011. Accessed
Novermenber 14, 2011.
Written
by: Ittiporn
Chuatrisorn, BSc(Pharm), MCP
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