The duration and dosage of antibiotics should be determined by the doctor in any case, uncontrolled use of antibiotics for colds increases the risk of the emergence of resistant bacteria in the body. This was explained to socialbites.ca by clinical pharmacologist Andrey Dekhnich, deputy director of research at the Smolensk State Medical University of the Ministry of Health Research Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
“First, the risk of developing bacterial complications with ordinary SARS is very small, but the risk of experiencing side effects and the consequences of taking antibiotics are quite real. Secondly, if there are bacteria resistant to the selected antibiotic in the body, treatment will not prevent the development of the infection. Third, uncontrolled use of antibiotics increases the risk of developing such resistant bacteria in the body.
The doctor also added that the time of admission depends on the location of the infection. Although medication instructions usually recommend taking it for five to seven days, in preparation for surgery, the patient usually needs one or two doses of antibiotics, and in the treatment of heart or joint infections the course may be extended for several weeks.
For more information on how to take antibiotics correctly and the problem of resistant bacteria, see How to take antibiotics correctly. material “socialbites.ca”.