Why no antibiotic?

Why No Antibiotic?
Many common infections are caused by germs cal ed viruses. Antibiotic medicines do not kilviruses. Also, many infections caused by germs cal ed bacteria do not need antibiotics. This is whyantibiotics are not prescribed for many infections.
of the gut. If you are normally well, your defence (immune) system is good at fighting off many types of viralinfection. An antibiotic medicine is not needed if a virus is causing an infection. This is because: do not kill viruses. Antibiotics only kill germs called bacteria.
Antibiotics may cause side-effects such as diarrhoea, rashes, feeling sick, etc.
Overuse of antibiotics when they have not been necessary has led to some bacteria becomingresistant to them. This means that some antibiotics might not be as effective when they are reallyneeded.
You may feel unwell for several days or more until a viral infection clears. Treatment aims to ease symptoms.
Treatments that are commonly advised for viral infections include the following: orto reduce a high temperature (fever), and to ease aches, pains, andheadaches.
Making sure you drink enough to prevent mild loss of water from the body (dehydration). Dehydrationmay develop if you have a high temperature, and it can make a headache and tiredness much worse.
Do not wrap up, but try to cool down if you have a high temperature. This is particularly important inchildren. If a child has a high temperature then take their clothes off (in a warm, but not hot, room) andconsider giving some paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Other advice may be given for specific symptoms. For example,for a blocked nose,etc. Ask a pharmacist for advice.
The immune system can clear most infections with germs called bacteria. For example, antibiotic medicinesusually do little to speed up recovery of bronchitis, or most ear, nose, and throat infections that are caused bybacteria. However, you do need antibiotics if you have certain serious infections caused by bacteria, such as or When you are ill, doctors are skilled at checking you over to rule out serious illness, andto advise if an antibiotic is needed.
Occasionally, mild infections caused by germs (viral or bacterial) develop into more serious infections. See adoctor to review the situation if the illness appears to change, becomes worse, does not go after a few days, or ifyou are worried about any new symptom that develops.
, Press Release, Public Health England, 2013; Public Health England , NHS Choices; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical
conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its
accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
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Source: http://www.whitecliffpractice.co.uk/website/J81019/files/Why_No_Antibiotic_Leaflet.pdf