Taking them unnecessarily has led to the development of resistant bacteria over the years. There are still too many people who hire them without us really needing them.
Are antibiotics used to treat flu and colds? Science answers this question with a resounding “no”.
And not from today: in fact, national and international health authorities have been insisting on this button for years. Antibiotics are very useful drugs, but they should not be used inappropriately.
Yet many people think differently, and therefore act in the opposite way. Especially when a cold or flu is in progress, one of those normal seasonal ailments, there are still many who seek (and take) antibiotics.
They are not the panacea for all ills
Antibiotics are a family of molecules that can kill or prevent the development of bacteria. Sometimes they are also called antibacterials and chemotherapeutics.
Better to clarify it immediately: they do not act against viruses (responsible for colds and flu), do not lower fever and do not relieve flu symptoms.
Their intake – which must be prescribed by a doctor with a special prescription – is appropriate only in infections caused by bacteria.
It is absolutely useless, as well as inappropriate and risky, in cases of diseases caused by different infectious agents, such as viruses, fungi or protozoa.
Unless there is a risk that these diseases are complicated by the overlapping of bacterial infections. But this decision rests solely with the doctor.
Abuses and risks of Italians
In addition to being ineffective against common seasonal ailments, antibiotics – like all drugs – have side effects.
Taking them inappropriately therefore exposes you to the risk of encountering such inconveniences without deriving any benefit.
In addition, over time the bacteria develop antibiotic-resistant strains, making the antibiotics themselves ineffective.
So much so that some strains, not least the mycobacterium of tuberculosis, resist almost all of the 100 existing antibiotic active ingredients, and it is beginning to be feared that soon it will no longer be possible to effectively treat some diseases.
NSAIDs, lots of water and rest
In case of flu, therefore, if there are no different indications from the doctor, it is necessary to resort to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription.
They relieve symptoms, lower fever and help overcome infection. In addition, it is essential to take plenty of liquids, water but also herbal teas and broth. To rehydrate the body.
Finally, after a few days of rest, the disorder will pass in the vast majority of cases without leaving any traces.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.