Antibiotics: More harm then good

You know the symptoms: your nose is plugged, your sinuses hurt, your throat is on fire and you keep coughing up that awful thick green mucus. Time to head for the Health Center or call your doctor back home and get some antibiotics, right? Maybe not.\nFall and winter on campus are the peak seasons for acute respiratory infections. In the past it was common for physicians to treat symptoms of "sinus" infections, bronchitis, tonsillitis, "the flu", and "colds" with antibiotics. We believed that such treatment would either speed recovery or prevent more serious illness. At the very least, we thought that such treatment "couldn't hurt." Today we know better.\nViruses, not bacteria, cause most respiratory symptoms. This includes most sore throats. Antibiotics, which work by killing bacteria or preventing their growth, have no effect on viruses or the illnesses that they cause. Even in some bacterial infections, such as "strep throat," antibiotics have little effect on the duration or severity of symptoms, and only prevent specific complications of the infection. As newer antibiotics become ever more expensive, it makes sense to reserve them for situations in which they will have a definite benefit.\nAntibiotics can also be harmful. Many individuals are or become allergic to an antibiotic during treatment. Allergic reactions may range from annoying itchy rashes to a life-threatening inability to breathe or swallow. Adverse reactions such as nausea, diarrhea, and yeast infections are common. \nOveruse of antibiotics in the past has also contributed to a problem with bacteria that are resistant to one or more antibiotics. The illnesses caused by these bacteria can be very difficult to treat.\nWe hear many reasons for requests for antibiotics: severity or duration of symptoms, assignments due, mucus color, or past response to antibiotic treatment. Length of symptoms and the color of mucus is not a reliable indicator of a bacterial infection. The symptoms of acute respiratory infections last longer than most people realize. Seven-to-10 days is common, and up to two weeks is not unusual, especially in smokers. Because most people seek medical care just as their infection is getting better, past response to antibiotics is also not a good reason for antibiotic treatment of a new cold.\nToday, instead of an antibiotic you are likely to be given instructions on things you can do to take care of yourself. These may include self-care measures such as drinking more liquids, getting more rest, gargling with warm salt water, and cautious use of over-the counter medications. \nOccasionally a prescription version of one of these medications may be given to you for specific symptoms. These medications will not make the infection go away more quickly, but will help you to feel better while your body fights it off.\nTo get more general information about upper respiratory infections call the Health Center at 855-4001 to speak to a nurse or visit www.indiana.edu/~health.