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Published on November 18, 2024

7 Facts About Antibiotics You Should Know

Image of a man holding pills in his hand.

When your head is clogged and you can’t stop blowing your nose, it can be frustrating to hear you can’t have antibiotics.

While antibiotics are powerful, lifesaving medications that fight bacterial infections, they don’t work against viral infections like cold or flu.

When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help – and side effects may cause harm to your body. Overusing antibiotics can also lead to dangerous “superbugs.” Most superbugs are bacteria that have developed antibiotic resistance. These superbugs are dangerous because they can make you seriously ill in the time it takes to find a treatment that works.

Here are seven things you should know about antibiotics:

  1. Antibiotics save lives. When you truly need antibiotics, the benefits outweigh the risks.
  2. Antibiotics aren’t always the answer. Everyone can help use antibiotics correctly.
  3. Antibiotics do not work on viruses such as colds, flu, bronchitis, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green.
  4. Antibiotics are only needed for treating infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics, including many sinus infections and some ear infections.
  5. Antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus. Respiratory viruses usually go away in a week or two without treatment. Ask your doctor for trips to feel better while your body fights off the virus.
  6. If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doc tor if you have any questions about your antibiotics, or if you develop any side effects, especially diarrhea.
  7. Antibiotics are critical tools for treating life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis.

We all want you to feel better when illness strikes. Talk to your healthcare provider any time you have questions or concerns about treatments, including antibiotics. They can help explain why you need certain medications and how best to care for yourself at home.

Dr. Peter Ng is a family medicine physician welcoming new patients at MyMichigan Health Park Vassar. If you’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Ng, please call 989-823-5020.

Source: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases