We have all experienced the common cold, right? Yeah, you know the sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and coughing? It is annoying, and we are still counting down the days until someone will finally discover the cure. Some people go to the extent of getting a prescriptions, specifically antibiotics, to deal with the symptoms. However, the real question is, does it actually work?
According to the CDC, the common cold is causes by more than 200 viruses (Wow), but the most common type of virus is the rhinovirus. It is spread by both direct contact and droplet nuclei. The symptoms include sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat, as mentioned before and no fever. Often times, no treatment is necessary for the common cold, it will typically get better on its own without antibiotics. In fact, the use of antibiotics can do more harm than good. Side effects can range from minor rash to very serious health problems such as C. Difficile infections and numerous antibiotic resistant infections. The CDC estimate at least 50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for acute respiratory conditions (common cold, viral sore throats, and bronchitis) are unnecessary.
The National Jewish Health site provided a MED facts sheet that states that antibiotics only work to treat infections caused bacteria. In the case of the common cold, antibiotics will never be effective for treating it since it caused by a virus. This also goes for other viral infection such as bronchitis, flu, sore throat, and fluid in the middle ear. They also mentioned that the main cause of increasing antibiotic resistance is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. That is why it is important to avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics when no bacterial infection is present. It is estimated that about 2 million illnesses and 23,000 death are caused by antibiotic resistance infections each year.
It is important to regulate the use of antibiotics if possible. Misusing antibiotics, as mentioned previously, can result in many more harmful effects, the worst being antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is already a large concern now because they are becoming harder and harder to treat. The least we can do as individuals is to avoid taking unprescribed antibiotics, use only what is necessary, and if you are unsure whether you have a bacterial or viral infection visit your physician or local clinic. It is better to be safe than sorry. Also, do not be afraid to ask you physician question about prescriptions if you feel like they may be providing too much antibiotics or misprespcribing you disease, because often times physicians themselves administer unnecessary antibiotics for viral infections.
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