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Common bacterial infections like strep throat and sinusitis are rife during the autumn and winter, so it is essential that everyone takes good care of themselves throughout the colder months to stay as safe and healthy as possible.
If you are affected by a bacterial infection and are prescribed antibiotics to treat it, you should make sure you follow the doctor’s advice and finish the course.
Read on to find out how long you need to take antibiotics for and why it’s important to continue until the end of the treatment.
Why are bacterial infections more common in winter?
Winter is the peak season for colds and other viruses, but it is also when bacterial infections affect most people as well.
This is because the air is cold and dry, which can reduce immunity. This also means people spend more time indoors, and bacteria is able to spread more easily in confined spaces.
At the same time, viruses can develop into bacterial infections, including sinusitis when mucus in the nasal passage is unable to drain; ear infections when there is a build-up of fluid in the inner ear; and bronchitis, caused by inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
Therefore, if symptoms of a cold, sore throat or cough persist for more than ten days and do not appear to be getting better, it is sensible to visit your GP to see whether the virus has turned into an infection that needs to be treated.
Of course, infections occur all year round, including dental abscesses. Therefore, antibiotics for tooth infections are required whatever month it is.
How do antibiotics work against bacterial infections?
The doctor is likely to prescribe a course of antibiotics in the event of a bacterial infection, as they kill the bacteria or stop it from spreading.
Antibiotics are only given in the case of bacterial infections, as they are ineffective against viruses.
What’s more, they only work if they are taken for the entire length of the course.
How many people do not take antibiotics for long enough?
Despite doctors working out how long patients need to take their antibiotics for and issuing a prescription for the correct dosage, many people do not finish their treatment.
In fact, according to figures published in the British Journal of General Practice, 60 per cent of adults who were prescribed antibiotics for an acute cough or lower respiratory tract infection do not take the full dose.
Findings also revealed that 40 per cent did not take any of the antibiotics prescribed to them.
Reasons cited for not taking any or all of the antibiotics were starting to feel better or undesirable side effects.
Common side effects of antibiotics
Some of the common side effects include:
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Yeast infections
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Skin rashes
- Bloating
- Indigestion
Some people have severe reactions to antibiotics, which includes anaphylaxis, liver problems, increased risk of sunburn, and heart issues.
However, if symptoms are only mild, it is important to continue taking the course even if you have started to feel better. Failing to do so could lead to lots more medical problems further on.
Why is it important to finish the course of antibiotics?
Doctors make sure they prescribe the correct dosage for each patient, which is why it is essential to complete the course.
The main reasons are:
– Completely get rid of the bacteria
The best way to ensure the infection has properly cleared up is to take all the antibiotics you have been given.
The medication makes sure it fully kills the remaining bacteria, while not finishing the course could mean some is left.
– Prevents a second illness
If bacteria is left in the body, it will continue to grow, resulting in the same uncomfortable symptoms again.
The illness is also likely to be more severe in subsequent occurrences, which means doctors have to prescribe stronger antibiotics to combat the infection.
– Prevents antibiotic resistance
A major reason to finish a prescribed course of antibiotics is because failure to do so increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.
If bacteria remains, it is able to evolve to resist antibiotics. This means different medications may not work, as the bacteria has become resistant to their effect.
Not only does this pose a problem to the patient, but it has now become a global threat. As many as 4.51 million deaths were linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2021, and this figure is expected to nearly double by 2050.
According to the World Health Organization, AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths across the globe in 2019, as antibiotics were no longer able to treat patients who had become resistant to the medication.
Not only does it make infections harder to treat, but it increases the risk of surgery, chemotherapy and caesarean sections.
It also raises the number of emergency department admissions, extends many patients’ length of stay at hospital, and leads to greater reconsultation.
This adds pressure to the health service, and has a knock-on effect for all patients, including any care you might need in the future.
