IS IT COMPULSORY TO TAKE A COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS, WHENEVER ONE GETS FLU (FEVER, SEVERE COLD AND COUGH)?!
Question: IS IT COMPULSORY TO TAKE A COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS, WHENEVER ONE GETS FLU (FEVER, SEVERE COLD AND COUGH).?
Answers:
It is inappropriate to take antibiotics, which are for bacterial infections, for a viral infection. Flu and cold are from a virus. If your viral cold has developed into a bacterial infection (green mucous in lungs), then you take antibiotics (finishing the prescription) to kill the infection.Health Question & Answer
NOOOOOOOOO
you should NEVER take an antibiotic for a cold.
I'm ashamed to say that my 92-year old grandmother can recognize the common head cold, but apparently 90% of the practicing doctors out there cannot, because they hand out antibiotics like they are candy.
This is not benign, and is just plain wrong. You run the chance of some serious complications that are completely unnecessary.
My advice to all my patients - protect yourself by NOT calling the doctor when you have a cold. And a cough with phlegm that turns green or brown is NOT a reason to take an antibiotic - this is NORMAL at the end stage of all viral infections, and in fact just means that your body is sending white blood cells into the lungs to kill the virus - it does NOT mean that you have a bacterial super-infection.
We all need to get accustomed to the idea that humans are able to survive a cold without the need for doctors - they knew it in 1800, but somehow now in 2008 we've forgotten. By the way, my Grandma never went to medical school -- she just has good common sense as I'm sure you do ! (:-)
Seriously, if you have a doctor who prescribes antibiotics over the phone, or a doctor who prescribes antibiotics when you have a cold "just in case", or a doctor who gives antibiotics because you have a cold and the phlegm turned brown -----
then you really need to find a new doctor!
thanks for listening to my rant. as you can tell, this subject drives me and other infectious disease specialists crazy.Health Question & Answer
you should NEVER take an antibiotic for a cold.
I'm ashamed to say that my 92-year old grandmother can recognize the common head cold, but apparently 90% of the practicing doctors out there cannot, because they hand out antibiotics like they are candy.
This is not benign, and is just plain wrong. You run the chance of some serious complications that are completely unnecessary.
My advice to all my patients - protect yourself by NOT calling the doctor when you have a cold. And a cough with phlegm that turns green or brown is NOT a reason to take an antibiotic - this is NORMAL at the end stage of all viral infections, and in fact just means that your body is sending white blood cells into the lungs to kill the virus - it does NOT mean that you have a bacterial super-infection.
We all need to get accustomed to the idea that humans are able to survive a cold without the need for doctors - they knew it in 1800, but somehow now in 2008 we've forgotten. By the way, my Grandma never went to medical school -- she just has good common sense as I'm sure you do ! (:-)
Seriously, if you have a doctor who prescribes antibiotics over the phone, or a doctor who prescribes antibiotics when you have a cold "just in case", or a doctor who gives antibiotics because you have a cold and the phlegm turned brown -----
then you really need to find a new doctor!
thanks for listening to my rant. as you can tell, this subject drives me and other infectious disease specialists crazy.Health Question & Answer
I know most of the answerers will disagree with me, but YES antibiotics should be given, even in case of viral cold. It is not to cure your cold, but to protect you from other infections. When you are fighting your cold, your body's defense mechanism is weak and needs protection. A low dose antibiotic should help. Afterall, its side-effects are completely reversible. Health Question & Answer
Colds and flu are viruses. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. If you go to the doctor he assumes that you want him to do something. Since he has nothing for you, he will give you antibiotics to make you feel like you are getting something for your money. I am a pharmacist and I could take antibiotics at the first sign of a cold but I have only taken them one time in the last 10 years (maybe 20) and that was because it lasted more than a month. My observations make me believe that the more drugs you take, the sicker you are. Did you see the study that concludes that doctors cause more deaths than cancer.?Health Question & Answer
well good question first of all...
and my answer is no...
flu is a viral illness and there is no need for an antibiotic for a couple of days...but remember if it doesnt reduce it may lead to a suspicion that a secondary bacterial infection has started in which case u need to use a full course of antibiotic...
and i advise u all once u start a course of antibiotic anytime..use it totally for the prescribed duration..otherwise u will make the bacteria resistant....Health Question & Answer
and my answer is no...
flu is a viral illness and there is no need for an antibiotic for a couple of days...but remember if it doesnt reduce it may lead to a suspicion that a secondary bacterial infection has started in which case u need to use a full course of antibiotic...
and i advise u all once u start a course of antibiotic anytime..use it totally for the prescribed duration..otherwise u will make the bacteria resistant....Health Question & Answer
You shouldn't take antibiotics for every infection. Some are viral, which antibiotics do not help. Only a doctor can determine if you need an antibiotic.Health Question & Answer
No remedy for Flu.
So dont take it.
When there is any infection on throat or lips or lungs
take antibiotics under supervision only for a course.Health Question & Answer
So dont take it.
When there is any infection on throat or lips or lungs
take antibiotics under supervision only for a course.Health Question & Answer