Once - when I went to the doctor with a severe problem
with my child's tonsils, the doctor checked and prescribed antibiotics. After
seeing the amount of medicine, I told the doctor - reduce the medicine, the
children do not want to eat.
The doctor looked at my face for a while and said -
you may not know the rules for taking antibiotics. Then know this well - always
complete the specified amount of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor,
otherwise be prepared for more suffering and death.
Nowadays, health awareness has increased a lot. Even
then, laziness overcomes someone or the other from time to time - which should
not be ignored at all.
We all try to live a healthy life. But still,
according to the rules given by God, there is disease and sorrow in nature. And
we also use medicine as a means of curing it.
But we should follow some rules of medicine use, which
many of us do not give importance to or many of us do not know the rules, so we
unknowingly cause great harm. We need to know and follow them to lead a healthy
life.
There are clear instructions for taking antibiotics.
Unnecessary and irrational use of antibiotics can be counterproductive. This
creates a state in which antibiotics are ineffective in our body. Harmful
bacteria become stronger, beneficial bacteria are damaged.
Research says that 30% of the use of antibiotics in
modern medicine is unreasonable. Therefore, along with doctors, the general
public should also be aware of when to take antibiotics and when not to take
them.
Medical experts say -
1) Seasonal
colds, stuffy noses, colds - in most cases, they are caused by flu or viruses.
Antibiotics are not needed for viral diseases. However, they are needed for
pneumonia or sinusitis. A doctor can differentiate between the two. Therefore,
do not buy antibiotics from the store and start taking them if you have a cold,
wait five or seven days. If you have a viral fever - it will get better by
itself. If it does not get better, then go to the doctor.
2) Antibiotics
are not always needed for minor cuts. If there is a risk of infection, if the
cut is made with a dirty object or if it is contaminated with germs, then it is
a different matter. It is enough to thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected
area with a disinfectant and use antiseptic ointment - if this does not help,
go to the doctor.
3) Antibiotics
are not always needed for food poisoning, diarrhea, etc. Normal saline is
enough. Most diarrhea is viral. Bacterial diarrhea has some signs and symptoms.
If necessary, seek medical advice. But do not take pills like Cyprosin, Flagyl
on your own.
4) In case of abscess, etc., antibiotics are often needed after draining the pus.
If you take antibiotics before that, the condition can be more complicated.
5) It
is also not right to think that a high fever means that you have typhoid and
that there is no other option but to inject high-dose antibiotics. Dengue,
chikungunya, and even viral fevers like influenza can also cause high fever and
do not require antibiotics.
6) Many
people start antibiotics without testing for burning or discomfort when they
experience urination. Remember, there are many reasons for burning urine. And
if you start antibiotics without doing a urine culture, you won't be able to
tell later whether it's working or not.
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Danger of ineffective antibiotics -
Medical experts say - As bacteria gradually develop
resistance to antibiotics, antibiotics no longer work against bacteria, this is
called antibiotic resistance or antibiotic tolerance. Antibiotic resistance is
mostly man-made, which is a very serious problem for human health.
#
How does tolerance arise -
Bacteria change themselves in such a way that they no
longer allow antibiotics to enter their body or change the appearance or
structure of the place where antibiotics work (such as the cell wall).
Sometimes they produce enzymes that break down
antibiotics. This tolerance spreads to the next generation of bacteria.
Ciprofloxacin has now become ineffective in 60% of typhoid fever. For the same
reason, there are many problems in treating pneumonia or meningitis.
How
are we responsible -
If you have a cold, cough, fever or diarrhea, or
burning sensation in your urine, you take antibiotics on your own without
knowing the reason - on the advice of the shopkeeper - or on the advice of
relatives, - and after taking some medicines, the problem subsides a little,
you stop taking the rest of the medicines. Taking antibiotics in low doses
according to age, low-quality medicines, and for less than the prescribed
period are among the reasons for resistance.
However, most of the seasonal flu, stomach upset, or
colds and coughs are caused by viruses. Antibiotics have no role against
viruses. The result of this irrational use is that the beneficial bacteria in
the body are destroyed and more aggressive bacteria are given a chance.
Many people think that the widely used metronidazole
or flagyl tablets are a medicine to harden stool, but in fact, it is also an
antibiotic, which should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.
What
is the way to prevent antibiotic resistance? In response to
this question, the expert emphatically stated ---
1) Do
not take antibiotics without confirming the bacterial infection. Usually, the
culture sensitivity of the bacteria can be used to confirm which bacteria has
caused the infection and which antibiotic is applicable to the patient.
2) It
takes time to get the culture report, so it is better to wait patiently for
that long. Never take antibiotics yourself or on the advice of someone else
without a doctor's instructions.
3) Before
taking antibiotics, know the correct dosage, how long to take it for and when
to take it. The dosage should be taken at a specific time interval.
4) Most
viral diseases heal within 5 to 7 days, no antibiotics are needed. It is better
not to take any medicine during this time. If a bacterial infection is
suspected, take the medicine after proper tests.
