<br />Overuse of antibiotics<br /><br /> <br />The overuse of antibiotics especially taking antibiotics when they're not the correct treatment promotes antibiotic resistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of antibiotic use in people is not needed nor appropriate. Antibiotics provide little benefit for a large proportion of respiratory tract infections presenting in primary care. Prescribing antibiotics for self-limiting respiratory tract infections is nevertheless escalating and is probably the main reason for the emerging prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms in the community today . The need has therefore been increasing to analysis the available data on antimicrobial usage in connection with the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms in order to help construct mathematical models predicting the likely outcomes of various antibiotic policy options<br />The large variations in antibiotic prescriptions indicate a need for further interventions to decrease unnecessary antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for children with unspecified upper respiratory tract infections and bronchitis, despite recommendations to the contrary. In a recent study from Sweden, it was shown that although fewer primary healthcare patients were diagnosed as having a respiratory tract infection, the proportion of patients being prescribed antibiotics nevertheless remained the same<br />Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria. But they don't treat infections caused by viruses (viral infections). For example, an antibiotic is the correct treatment for strep throat, which is caused by bacteria. But it's not the right treatment for most sore throats, which are caused by viruses.<br />Antibiotics can clear infections quickly, reduce pain, and even save a person’s life. However, using antibiotics a person does not need will not improve their health or make them feel better. In fact, they cause experience avoidable side effects. Taking antibiotics is also a risk factor Trusted Source for developing a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. C. diff is a bacteria that can cause serious digestive issues such as colon inflammation. People with weakened immune systems may be at increased risk.<br />Antibiotic side effects<br />No drug is without risk or side effects. Every drug a person uses increases their risk of experiencing side effects. Antibiotics can causeTrusted Source various side effects, depending on individual circumstances and the specific drug. These can include:<br />• diarrhea<br />• gastrointestinal disturbances<br />• constipation<br />• heart rhythm changes<br />• organ damage<br />People can also have dangerous, sometimes life threatening allergic reactions to antibiotics.<br />Other common viral infections that aren't helped by the use of antibiotics include:<br />• Cold or runny nose<br />• Flu (influenza)<br />• Bronchitis<br />• Most coughs<br />• Some ear infections<br />• Some sinus infections<br />• Stomach flu<br />• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)<br />Taking an antibiotic for a viral infection:<br />• Won't cure the infection<br />• Won't keep other people from getting sick<br />• Won't help you or your child feel better<br />• May cause needless and harmful side effects<br />• Promotes antibiotic resistance<br />If you take an antibiotic when you have a viral infection, the antibiotic attacks bacteria in your body. These are bacteria that are helpful or are not causing disease. This incorrect treatment can then promote antibiotic-resistant properties in harmless bacteria that can be shared with other bacteria. Or it can create an opportunity for potentially harmful bacteria to replace the harmless ones.<br />Taking antibiotics responsibly<br />It's tempting to stop taking an antibiotic as soon as you feel better. But you need to take the full treatment to kill the disease-causing bacteria. If you don't take an antibiotic as prescribed, you may need to start treatment again later. If you stop taking it, it can also promote the spread of antibiotic-resistant properties among harmful bacteria.<br />Drug interactions<br />Antibiotics can interact harmfully with some other drugs. The more medications a person takes, the more likely those medications are to interact. A doctor can advise on possible interactions a person’s medications may cause.<br />Drug interactions are especially likely when a person takes antibiotics outside of the supervision and guidance of a doctor.<br />Cost<br />Antibiotics increase healthcare costs. When antibiotics are unnecessary or harmful, they may increase costs even more by causing harmful interactions or side effects that may require additional doctor visits or even hospitalization.<br />Reference <br />1-Cars O, Hogberg LD, Murray M, Nordberg O, Sivaraman S, Lundborg CS, . Meeting the challenge of antibiotic resistance. BMJ 2008;337:a143<br />2- Huovinen P. Mathematical model – tell us the future! J Antimicrob Chemother 2005;56:257–8<br />3- Neumark T, Brudin L, Engstrom S, Molstad S. Trends in number of consultations and antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections between 1999 and 2005 in primary healthcare in Kalmar Country, Southern Sweden. Scand J Prim Health Care 2009;27:18–24.<br />