ENT (ear, nose and throat) infections are quite common among children and adults. In majority of the cases, the symptoms are quite mild. However, in some cases, the infections can become severe, requiring treatment from an ENT specialist. To deal with persistent and severe infections, doctors often recommend antibiotics.
The problem arises when people take antibiotics irresponsibly to protect themselves from infections without knowing that overuse can cause severe health issues. As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adverse reactions to antibiotics are responsible for one in five medication-related emergency room visits. Therefore, it is always advised to stop antibiotics if any side-effects show up and consult with an expert before taking antibiotics.
Consequences of unnecessary antibiotics usage
ENT infections can be bacterial or viral. Bacterial infections usually do not happen as often, but such infections can become more serious. However, if an ENT infection is caused by bacteria, then it may be possible to treat it with antibiotics. Antibiotics only work against bacteria and cannot help with viral infections. Therefore, it is critical to understand the cause of the infection first before taking antibiotics.
Unnecessary or overuse of antibiotics can cause serious health issues, some of which are discussed below:
Diarrhoea in children
Since common colds and flus are mostly viral, treating them with antibiotics can result in unwanted side effects. A study by the CDC has revealed that children prescribed antibiotics for routine upper respiratory infections can be more susceptible to antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria commonly known as C. diff. C. diff is a bacteria found in the human gut that can cause severe diarrhoea and is responsible for thousands of deaths every year among children and adults.
Fungal infections
Antibiotics are specifically designed to kill harmful bacteria but they sometimes also kill good bacteria that protect people from various fungal infections. As a result of that, people taking antibiotics develop fungal infections in certain parts of the body like the mouth, throat and vagina.
The symptoms of fungal infections usually include fever and chills, vaginal itchiness, loss of taste, white patches on the throat and pain during peeing.
Upsets gut flora
There are more than 100 trillion bacteria of different strains in the intestines. Though some are deadly, a natural balance is maintained in the gut that can go haywire with the use of antibiotics. The helpful bacteria in the gut known as gut flora, support proper digestion and immunity.
Aggressive antibiotics can wipe out a significant proportion of these helpful bacteria thus causing plenty of health issues.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
With the rapid and overuse of antibiotics, some bacteria develop resistance towards antibiotics. Antibacterial-resistant infections can be severe and potentially life-threatening.
Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea is an emerging threat that has been linked to ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, neonatal eye infections and tubal infertility, among other conditions. Presently, cephalosporin antibiotics are the only class that meets the standards set by CDC to fight resistant gonorrhoea.
Drug interactions
Antibiotics can also interact with other medications, making them less effective. Certain combinations can worsen the side effects of the other drug or antibiotics. The commonly observed side effects of antibiotics include nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach ache. Sometimes these symptoms can lead to dehydration and other problems.
Things to keep in mind while taking antibiotics
1. It is important to take only the prescribed dose of antibiotics by a doctor.
2. Antibiotics should not be saved for later use.
3. One should not share his/her antibiotics with others.
4. Also, one should not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. This may delay the best treatment for the person.
Antibiotics are the most effective when used appropriately. This begins by making sure that the patient really needs the antibiotic. Also, antibiotics should be taken in the prescribed amount as directed by a physician. One might feel better within a few days of taking an antibiotic but it is vital to talk to the healthcare provider before stopping the treatment early.
The author is clinical director, Entod Pharmaceuticals
