Antibiotic resistance is a big and growing problem. The main driving factors behind antibiotic resistance are the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
- Antibiotics ONLY treat bacterial infections.
- Most winter colds and sinus infections are caused by viruses, which antibiotics DO NOT treat.
- Read the Chart! to know which common illnesses are usually viral or bacterial and when antibiotics are necessary.
| Common Condition: What’s got you sick? | Common Cause Bacteria |
Common Cause Bacteria or Virus |
Common Cause Virus | Are antibiotics needed? |
| Strep throat | ✔ | Yes | ||
| Whooping cough | ✔ | Yes | ||
| Urinary tract infection | ✔ | Yes | ||
| Sinus infection | ✔ | Maybe | ||
| Middle ear infection | ✔ | Maybe | ||
| Bronchitis/chest cold (in otherwise healthy children and adults)* | ✔ | No | ||
| Common cold/runny nose | ✔ | No | ||
| Sore throat (except strep) | ✔ | No | ||
| Flu | ✔ | No |
(link to chart above)
https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/pdfs/aaw/AU_viruses-or-bacteria-Chart_508.pdf)
Viral infections:
- Colds or flu
- Most coughs and bronchitis
- Most sore throats
- Runny noses (regardless of the color)
Taking antibiotics for viral infections will not:
- Cure the infection
- Keep other individuals from catching the illness
- Help you feel better
Antibiotics Can Cause Harm
- Taking antibiotics increases your risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection later.
- Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in the gut, allowing more harmful bacteria to grow in its place.
- Antibiotics cause 1 out of 5 emergency department visits for adverse drug events, especially in children.
- Many women get yeast infections after antibiotic use.
The common Cold 101
- Usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.
- Signs and symptoms, which can vary from person to person, might include:
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Congestion
- Slight body aches or a mild headache
- Sneezing
- Low-grade fever
- Generally feeling unwell (malaise)
- Runny nose: the discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green in color as a common cold runs its course. This DOES NOT indicate a bacterial infection.
- Common colds get better in 5-10 days.
Adults should consult a doctor for
- Fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C)
- Fever lasting five days or more or returning after a fever-free period
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Severe sore throat, headache or sinus pain
Can you prevent a cold?
Short answer: Sometimes
- Hand washing
- Covering cough and sneeze
When you have a cold, treating symptoms helps you feel better :
- Increase fluids and vitamin C
- Gargle with salt water
- Throat lozenges
- Over the counter pain medicine for muscle aches
- Humidify the air in your room
- Whine a lot
- Time cures
*****Public Health England produced a great video to educate about antibiotic over use
