Be antibiotics aware: use only as directed

You woke up with a sore throat. You feel a little tired and achy but don’t have any other symptoms. No sniffles, no sneezing, no cough, so you think you’ll feel better if you just get up and get going. But the sore throat lingers a few days, and you start to run a low-grade fever. Not surprisingly, you think you have strep throat (group A streptococcus), a bacterial infection. You think you need an antibiotic.

Maybe you do. But then again, maybe you don’t. Most sore throats are caused by virus infections, and over and over, I’ve told you that antibiotics can’t cure a virus infection. Taking an antibiotic when it’s not needed can lead to antibiotic resistance, which is not only dangerous but potentially lethal.

Let’s review. Bacteria are living organisms existing as single cells. We have tons of them in our bodies, most of them are beneficial. The harmful ones multiply and interfere with our normal body processes.

Viruses, alternatively, aren’t alive and can’t live on their own. They are particles containing genetic material wrapped in a protein coat. Antibiotics do not fight viruses that cause infections like colds, flu, most sore throats, bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections.

“Antibiotics can save lives, but any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “Each year, at least 28 percent of antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily in U.S. doctors’ offices and emergency rooms, which makes improving antibiotic prescribing and use a national priority.”

Here’s the scary statistic: “Each year in the U.S., at least 2.8 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria or fungi, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. If antibiotics lose their effectiveness, then we lose the ability to treat infections and control public health threats.”

“If you take an antibiotic when you actually have a viral infection, the antibiotic attacks bacteria in your body — bacteria that are either beneficial or at least not causing disease,” Mayo Clinic explained. “This misdirected treatment can then promote antibiotic-resistant properties in harmless bacteria that can be shared with other bacteria, or create an opportunity for potentially harmful bacteria to replace the harmless ones.”

So, you may ask, “Why would we be prescribed an antibiotic if we didn’t need it?” That’s a great question. Kids Health says that doctors may prescribe an antibiotic when they aren’t sure what’s causing the illness or while they are awaiting test results.

Going back to that sore throat you had at the top of this article, you may have told your primary care provider that you have strep throat, even though you obviously don’t know that for a fact. Often PCPs rely on your description to make a diagnosis, particularly during a telemedicine visit. And some people purchase antibiotics online. It’s true. Google it.

Even though you’re the captain of your healthcare team, allow your PCP to make a diagnosis based solely on your symptoms. Do not offer advice such as, “My snot was green, so, therefore, I have a bacterial infection.” That doesn’t hold water. There are lots of reasons your mucus might be green.

Let minor illnesses run their course. For example, flu symptoms should begin to ease after a week or so. But, if the symptoms continue or if you’re feeling worse, there’s a chance you may have a secondary infection that will need to be treated with antibiotics. That’s when to call the medico.

When prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take them as directed. Do not stop taking them when you feel better. Do not save some for next time. Not all antibiotics are created equal. The one prescribed for one infection may be ineffective in another one. And, most importantly, never — let me repeat — never take an antibiotic prescribed for another person.

“Ask your doctor for advice on how to treat symptoms,” Mayo suggests. “Practice good hygiene to avoid bacterial infections that need antibiotic treatment. And, make sure you and your children receive recommended vaccinations.”

If you wake up with a sore throat, stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, take an over-the-counter analgesic and get well soon.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of the Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.