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Antibiotics: Use them wisely
Antibiotics are the first line of defense against many infections. But overusing or misusing antibiotics can cause more harm than good.
By Mayo Clinic staffYour head throbs, your nose is stuffy, and you're too tired to do anything but flop into bed at the end of the day. You're probably coming down with a cold or the flu. But if you think that antibiotics will help you feel better, think again. Antibiotics won't do a thing for viral illnesses such as colds, flu and most sore throats. What's more, taking antibiotics when you don't need them actually can be harmful. Here's more information on what antibiotics are, when they should and shouldn't be used, and what you can do to combat antibiotic resistance.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are powerful drugs used for treating many serious and life-threatening infectious diseases, but taking them when you don't need to can lead to antibiotic-resistant germs. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, certain fungal infections and some kinds of parasites. Most infections result from either bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics can't help you if a virus is responsible for your illness.
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Superbugs: How antibiotic resistance develops
Since penicillin was introduced in the 1940s, scientists have developed more than 150 antibiotics to help stop the spread of infectious disease. But although these drugs have saved millions of lives, the misuse of antibiotics has caused problems. Their frequent use, often for conditions or infections that aren't caused by bacteria, has given rise to bacteria that are resistant to many commonly used antibiotics.
Superbugs emerge when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria it targets, and the surviving bacteria become resistant to that particular drug and frequently other antibiotics as well. Doctors then prescribe a stronger antibiotic, but the bacteria quickly learn to withstand the more potent drug as well, perpetuating a cycle in which increasingly powerful drugs are required to treat infections.
Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria began to appear soon after penicillin was introduced. Today, antibiotic-resistant strains have become common, and bacteria resistant to a number of antibiotics have developed. Once only seen in hospitals, outbreaks of some resistant strains — such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) — are appearing in the wider community.
For years, the potent antibiotic vancomycin (Vancocin) was a reliable last defense against certain severe infections, notably those caused by staphylococcus bacteria. But in recent years, some superbugs have become able to resist vancomycin.
While experts are working to develop new antibiotics and other treatments to keep pace with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, infectious organisms adapt quickly. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria will continue to be a global health concern — and using antibiotics wisely is an important part of preventing their spread.
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