When To Take Antibiotics by Jane Thurnell-Read

Many doctors say that their patients expect them to prescribe antibiotics even when they are not appropriate. So when is it appropriate to take antibiotics?

The simple distinction to remember is that antibiotics don’t work for viral infections and do work for bacterial infection.

Viruses are very small organisms and are completely inactive outside the host cells. They invade living cells and make copies of themselves causing illness and distress.

Bacteria are abundant in air, soil and water. Surprisingly some are beneficial to human beings. For example, there are bacteria living in your intestine which break down food, produce vitamins and are important for the immune system. There are also beneficial bacteria on the skin which produce the acid mantle that helps protects our skin from harm. Bacteria that are harmful are known as pathogens. There are three main categories of bacteria:

• cocci (spherical)
• bacilli (rod-shaped)
• spirochaetes or spirilla (spiral-shaped)

Bacteria do not need living cells in order to grow and replicate. Bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics.

Commensal bacteria are ones that normally live in or on the body and are considered medically to be harmless. Nosocomial infection are infections that are contracted in hospital.

Dangers of Antibiotic Resistance

Doctors are concerned about the over-use of antibiotics because it can lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health problems. This condition occurs when bacteria change in some way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other agents designed to cure or prevent infections. Widespread overuse of antibiotics is fueling an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. So the next time you really need an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, it may not work.

If You Have a Cold or Flu, Antibiotics Won't Work for You!

Colds and flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good. Get smart about when antibiotics are appropriate. Taking them for viral infections, such as a cold, cough, the flu, or acute bronchitis:

• Will not cure the infection
• Will not keep other people from getting sick
• Will not help you feel better
• May cause unnecessary and harmful side effects

If you have a cold or flu try natural alternatives instead - herbal echinacea tablets and vitamin C work well and can work both as a preventive and to reduce the severity of the illness. Probiotics have also been shown to support the immune system and have other benefits such as reducing intesting gas and soothing the digestive system.