Health News - You might not need antibiotics.

You might not need antibiotics

Sniffles, sneezes, sore throat, oh my! The common cold catches all of us from time to time.

It is called the "common cold" for a reason. This contagious viral infection is the most common infectious disease in the United States. You may think all it takes to cure a cold is an antibiotic. However, viral illnesses such as colds and sinus infections, actually do not respond to antibiotics. For most healthy individuals, your immune system will fight off the virus and with time (usually 7 to 14 days) you will recover.

Antibiotics fight bacteria-related illnesses and infections. For example, they can treat pneumonia, strep throat, and ear infections. Occasionally, having a viral infection like a cold will put you at risk for a bacterial infection. Signs that you may have a bacterial infection after a cold sometimes mimics the symptoms of a cold (thick, green nasal mucus, coughing up mucus, eye/head pain), but the symptoms last much longer than a week. This situation will respond to antibiotics. It is important to talk to your doctor at Latham Medical Group if you think you might need antibiotics. Only a doctor can tell you if you would benefit from taking medication.

If you take an antibiotic you do not need, you can end up with more serious health problems, including antibiotic resistance. That may cause problems for you later down the road when you try to treat diseases caused by bacteria that resist the effects of an antibiotic. When bacteria are repeatedly exposed to antibiotics (for example, you take medications for the common cold too often), the germs in your body change and the illness becomes more difficult to treat. This can become very dangerous.

Remember, when given, take antibiotics only as prescribed and do not share your medications with friends and family.

As always, if you are sick, contact Latham Medical Group at 518-785-5881. We can let you know if you need to come into our office for a visit if you are not sure. Your provider at Latham Medical Group will also determine if you have a bacterial infection or a virus and will prescribe antibiotics only if necessary.