Cold season will soon be here and that means
it's time to remind people that antibiotics
aren't effective against colds and inappropriate
use of antibiotics may be harmful, says a
doctor at Washington University in St. Louis.
"People need to remember that antibiotics
are used for bacterial infections. A common
cold is a virus. Antibiotics simply won't
work on viral infections," Dr. David
C. Mellinger, associate director and chief
physician at the university's Student Health
Service, said in a prepared statement.
In addition, the overuse of antibiotics can
lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria.
"We all have bacteria in our bodies.
If they are constantly exposed to antibiotics,
the normal bacteria can become resistant.
Those bacteria can then end up actually causing
more infections," Mellinger said.
He cited penicillin as an example.
"Penicillin, one of the first antibiotics
created, killed many of the bacteria that
existed during the last century. But over
time, bacteria have built up resistance to
penicillin. Now, it is really only prescribed
for streptococcus, the organism that causes
strep throat, and a few other select infections,"
Mellinger said.
People with colds shouldn't ask their doctor
for antibiotics. Instead, they should drink
plenty of fluids, rest, and perhaps try an
over-the-counter cold remedy, he suggested.
