Misconceptions about antibiotics

Antibiotics are very effective in the treatment of bacterial infections and diseases, and life is often exposed to antibiotics antibiotic drugs. But many people have misconceptions about antibiotics. Proper understanding of antibiotics is important for safe medication.

Myth 1: Antibiotics = anti-inflammatory drugs

Antibiotics have the effect of inhibiting the metabolism of bacteria and have an indirect healing effect on inflammation caused by bacteria, so many people mistakenly believe that antibiotics are anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics do not directly treat inflammation, but can only control the metabolism of bacteria that cause inflammation, thus reducing inflammation. Therefore antibiotics can only treat bacterial inflammation and are ineffective against inflammation caused by viruses, fungi or trauma. Anti-inflammatory drugs are a general term for a large class of drugs that directly treat inflammation.

Myth 2: Antibiotics can prevent disease

Antibiotics are not effective in preventing infections and cannot be used to prevent disease. Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections and diseases. Improper use of antibiotics will not only damage the body but may also cause bacterial resistance and cause dysbiosis of the beneficial bacteria in the body and a decrease in body resistance.

Myth 3: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are better than narrow-spectrum antibiotics

The broad-spectrum antibiotics are the antibiotics that have a wider antibacterial spectrum, and these antibiotics can fight against most bacteria, while the opposite is the narrow-spectrum antibiotics. The principles of antibiotic use emphasize: not to use broad-spectrum antibiotics as much as possible when you can use narrow-spectrum antibiotics; not to use a combination of multiple antibiotics when you can use one. This is to avoid the increase of bacterial resistance in the body.

Myth 4: New antibiotics are better than old ones

Each antibiotic has its own advantages, and the therapeutic effect of an antibiotic is not directly related to the order of appearance or price of the antibiotic. The very high priced carbamycin and third generation cephalosporins are not as effective in treating pneumonia due to Legionella and mycoplasma infections as the cheaper erythromycin. The main thing is to choose the right antibiotic in order to target the treatment.

Myth 5: Antibiotics are used for colds

The cold is divided into viral and bacterial colds, antibiotics can only treat bacterial colds, and have no effect on viral colds, so you can't use antibiotics blindly. First of all, you need to determine what kind of microorganism is causing the cold, or even which kind of bacteria is causing the cold and the severity of the cold, so that you can choose the type or dose of antibiotics more scientifically. Antibiotics must be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Myth 6: Frequent change of antibiotics

Antibiotics do not work immediately after use and require a cycle. Some people may feel that there is no effect immediately replace the antibiotics, this may cause bacteria to a variety of antibiotic resistance. If there is no effect it is best to consult your doctor if it is caused by insufficient or improper use of the medicine and follow your doctor's advice.

Myth 7: The lower the dose of antibiotics, the safer it is

Many people are worried about the side effects of antibiotics and feel that the less antibiotics they use the better. The antibiotic dose is not enough to kill the bacteria immediately, the residual bacteria are relatively strong resistance, not completely kill these bacteria, may lead to recurrence of the disease, and the next time when the drug may also produce resistance. If you have to use antibiotics, you have to use them in sufficient quantity and in sufficient time, and use them scientifically according to the course of treatment.