It starts out as the sniffles, but by the time you wake up the next morning, you know it’s here: a cold. And it feels like a bad one. Stuffy head, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, the works. Time to call the doctor and get some antibiotics, right? Maybe not.
Antibiotics can be powerful medicine. But you have to use them safely and correctly. And sometimes that means not using them at all.
Know your germs
The first thing to know is that antibiotics are not an all-purpose cure. They can be a big help if you have a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia. But antibiotics don’t work against viruses, which cause most respiratory infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors should not prescribe antibiotics for viral illnesses, including the common cold, flu, bronchitis and most sore throats and sinus infections. Your body can fight off these illnesses on its own and/or with the aid other medications.
Antibiotics work by fighting bacteria that make you sick, either by killing them or stopping them from growing. But sometimes, bacteria learn how to resist an antibiotic. The more often antibiotics are used, the bigger the risk that this can happen. And you can end up with stronger bacteria that are more difficult to treat. These resistant bacteria can cause serious illness or even death.
Ask the expert
Not sure if you have a virus or bacterial infection? Then talk with your doctor. If you have a bacterial infection and your doctor prescribes you an antibiotic, you should follow his or her orders and let the medicine work for you. However, don’t ask for or take antibiotics unless your doctor says you need them.
