Don’t treat yourself with antibiotics

In the winter season, more than 90 per cent of the cases we see, including flu, bronchitis, cold and cough, are viral infections and do not need to be treated with antibiotics.” Dr Fatima Al Zarooni, paediatrician at Latifa Hospital

dubai — Despite an improvement in awareness levels with regard to antibiotic overuse and antibiotic resistance, there are still a number of people who do not understand the seriousness of frequent use of medicine.

Health practitioners said that they are seeing an overall improvement in awareness levels of patients, however, there are many who do not understand that misuse can have side effects.

“Antibiotics are one of the finest medical inventions and have helped save lives of patients globally. However, the message to the public and to healthcare providers is to prevent its overuse. They should be used to treat bacterial infections only, they should be used when prescribed by a certified health professional and the full course of treatment should be completed,” said Dr Fatima Al Zarooni, paediatrician at Latifa Hospital.

“It is important for the public to be aware that antibiotics cannot treat viral infections, they can only treat bacterial infections. In the winter season, more than 90 per cent of the cases we see including flu, bronchitis, cold and cough are viral infections and do not need to be treated with antibiotics.”

She advised patients not to insist on antibiotics when they visit a healthcare professional and that they should be aware on how to use it.

“Patients should never stop the antibiotic midway through the course. Failing to finish the course allows some bacteria to survive. These will be the hard ones that can resist the same antibiotic and such things lead to antibiotic resistance over a period of time. This means that after a repeated period of antibiotic misuse, that antibiotic will not work on the patient, as the patient’s body becomes resistant to that antibiotic. This is dangerous because antibiotics are the only medicines we have to treat bacterial infections,” she explained.

According to the WHO, the growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is estimated to cause an annual 25,000 deaths and over 1.5 billion euros in healthcare expenses and productivity losses in Europe. In the United States, more than 23,000 deaths are recorded per year and healthcare expenses rise to the tune of $20 billion.

“Antibiotics misuse and overuse will lead to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, antibiotics should be used when needed only, patients should complete the full course of the antibiotics and should eat a healthy diet rich in natural probiotics during and after the antibiotic course.”