Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0.
Antibiotics treat certain infections caused by bacteria. They do not treat viral illnesses such as the common cold or flu. India’s health authorities and the World Health Organization caution that unnecessary or incorrect antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance, which can make infections harder to treat.
What antibiotic resistance means
Resistance develops in microorganisms, not in a person’s body. When bacteria survive exposure to medicines that should normally control them, later infections may be more difficult to treat. Misuse can include taking antibiotics without a prescription, using leftovers, sharing medicines, or changing a prescribed course without consulting the treating clinician.
Safer habits for patients
- Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a qualified health professional for your condition.
- Follow the dose and timing on the prescription. If you experience a problem or are unsure how to take the medicine, ask the prescriber or pharmacist.
- Do not use leftover antibiotics or give your medicine to another person.
- Do not stop, extend or change treatment on your own. Contact the prescriber for advice, especially if symptoms worsen or a side effect occurs.
- Do not expect antibiotics for every fever, cough, sore throat or cold. The cause and appropriate treatment need clinical assessment.
Why a clinician may not prescribe them
Many common respiratory illnesses are viral or self-limiting, so antibiotics may provide no benefit and can still cause side effects. A clinician may decide an antibiotic is needed only after considering symptoms, examination findings, health history and, when appropriate, tests. This guide cannot determine what treatment any individual needs.
When to seek medical help
Seek care if symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, persistent, or accompanied by breathing difficulty, confusion, dehydration or another urgent concern. People with serious chronic conditions, pregnancy, very young children and older adults may need timely professional assessment. In an emergency, use local emergency services.
Medical disclaimer: This article is general education, not diagnosis or treatment advice. Do not start, stop or alter a medicine based on this article; speak with a qualified clinician or pharmacist.
Official references
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, MoHFW: Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance
- National Centre for Disease Control: Antimicrobial resistance programme
- WHO India: Antimicrobial resistance
