9 Antibiotic Myths

It is not always easy to determine whether you need antibiotics if you are ill. Even doctors find it difficult to tell the difference. Here are the most common myths related to the use of antibiotics.

Viruses against bacteria Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics do not help, cure or prevent viral infections. It is often difficult to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections because they have many symptoms but are fundamentally different. Bacteria are 10 to 100 times larger than viruses, live on everything and play a positive role, especially in humans. In fact, ninety-nine percent of all bacteria are good, like lactobacillus in the gut, that help us digest food. On the other hand, viruses are smaller, need a living host to survive and are mostly harmful.

Myth # 1: Antibiotics are used to treat colds and: All colds and flu are caused by viruses (no bacteria), so antibiotics do not work. Indeed, the use of antibiotics for viral infections leads to drug resistance, which means that some antibiotics no longer work. We already see it with penicillin. Infections that were previously successfully treated with penicillin are now developing resistance. This means that stronger antibiotics are needed for the simplest infections.

Myth # 2: A bad cough always requires: Even if you have a terrible cough, don't take antibiotics without consulting your doctor. All respiratory infections cause cough and the severity gives no indication of whether it is a virus or a bacterium. Cough is the last symptom that disappears with colds and flu. It often takes two weeks for it to go away on its own.

Myth # 3: Sore throats always require: People mistakenly believe that sore throats justify an antibiotic. The majority of sore throats are caused by viruses. Only 35% of sore throats in children and 10% in adults require antibiotics due to the streptococcal bacterium, which can only be determined by a pharynx test in the laboratory to determine whether bacteria are present or not.

Myth No. 4: A high fever always requires: Any foreign body such as viruses and bacteria can trigger a fever and does not automatically guarantee antibiotics. Fever is a tool that our bodies use to get rid of disease-causing microbes and does not mean whether the microbe is bacterial or viral.

Myth 5: Antibiotics help me to improve: Taking antibiotics for colds and flu doesn't get rid of annoying symptoms any faster. These diseases just have to take their toll and expect the cold to make you sick for a few days, while the flu can make you very sick for weeks. Antibiotics do not relieve cold or flu symptoms and should not be taken "just in case".

Myth # 6: Antibiotics help the immune system with colds and: Some people mistakenly assume that antibiotics would help fight the virus if they were taking antibiotics for colds or flu. Antibiotics do not strengthen the immune system, they only kill bacteria. The problem arises when someone takes an antibiotic and it doesn't help, they frequently switch to a stronger antibiotic and get better. They attribute the success of the last antibiotic to when the immune system has done all the work and the virus has started.

Myth # 7: Doctors who refuse to give antibiotics are: It is an unfortunate social practice that patients ask about antibiotics and feel unsatisfied without antibiotics. If your doctor believes that an antibiotic is not required, do not force him to prescribe an antibiotic. It is most likely a virus and the doctor will help you to avoid the headache caused by the development of drug resistance in the future.

Myth # 8: There is nothing wrong with taking antibiotics when there are no invasive bacteria. It's like sending your troops to a battlefield and not finding the enemy. Antibiotics shoot aimlessly by killing the good bacteria in your body. Not to mention unnecessary exposure to a list of side effects like skin rashes, diarrhea and yeast infections. An even more worrying effect is the emergence of drug resistance. For this reason, the World Health Organization has launched a global awareness campaign to end the excessive use of antibiotics and stop the spread of drug resistance.

Myth No. 9: Antibiotics always win the fight against: Not always! Some antibiotics will no longer work because pharmaceutical companies cannot invent antibiotics quickly enough, because bacteria become smarter much faster due to overuse and abuse. There is no doubt that antibiotics, when used properly, can save lives, but they should only be used for bacterial infections to avoid drug resistance.

In addition, there is no guarantee that antibiotics will save you in the long term if you take them repeatedly against viral infections. Let's work together to make the antibiotics work!

Bacterial nails and nail nails - how to avoid and heal them

The fungus that affects the toenails is a living organism that thrives in damp, dark environments. The area between your nails and toes is a good example. This fungal infection is actually very common and affects millions of people around the world every year. However, the numbers are likely to be conservative as a large proportion of those affected do not see a doctor.

The infection can be localized on your feet or hands, but it should be noted that bacterial infections of the nails on the feet are much more common because they are trapped in shoes for most of the day. This is the ideal breeding environment for bacteria to thrive. ,

People who are prone to sweaty feet and do not change their socks regularly are also at higher risk of developing a yeast infection. Once infected with bacteria, they develop a yellow discoloration that spreads from the bottom of the nail.

It is inherently difficult for the body to get rid of these bacteria, especially if they multiply under the nail bed. In general, a problem related to the athlete's foot, which is also common in environments such as swimming pools and hot tubs, are some key examples. The bacteria contract at your feet if you walk around without suitable shoes, e.g. B. in swimming pools, where most infections are transmitted from one person to another.

The development of the fungus eventually causes the nail to become thick and curled, which eventually falls out of the toe. Discoloration of the nail and a very unpleasant smell are foolproof signs of a fungal infection.

The infection usually begins under the big toe, which is usually due to prolonged contact with wet or wet socks. It is important to treat the fungal infection once it has been identified for avoidance. It does not contaminate other toes on your foot. There are many different treatments for bacterial fungal infections on the market and popular home remedies like mouthwash, tea tree oils and vinegar have been shown to help alleviate the problems.

However, as with any medical problem, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before introducing home remedies. In fact, problems with the nails, whether on your feet or hands, can indicate other, less obvious diseases, and it is therefore important if you have an ingrown toenail or a bacterial infection in your nails, whether in your hands or in your feet. you should see a doctor.

To prevent these fungal infections, make sure your nails are cut and straight, and do your best to make sure they are clean under the nail, removing dead skin tissue that can harbor bacteria. , Develop a routine for hand and foot hygiene, and be sure to clean your cuticles gently but effectively. Also file your nails to make sure there are no sharp edges.

Typical treatments can take several months to more than a year. This is especially the case when you are thinking about home remedies. However, there are medical options that your doctor can advise you on.