Antibiotics do not work against viruses. - PHOTO COURTESY OF MOH
1. Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria only. Antibiotics will not work against viruses. There are different types of antibiotics that work against different types of bacterial infections.
2. Take antibiotics properly as instructed on the label. Some antibiotics may need to be taken with food while some need to be taken on an empty stomach.
3. Inform your doctor of any other medications you are taking. For example, oral contraceptive as interaction with your antibiotics may occur. Also inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
4. Do not miss a dose. If you forgot a dose at a certain time, take the antibiotics as soon as you remember. Do not double the dose. Antibiotics work best when they are taken regularly on consecutive days until finished.
5. Finish the course, that is, if asked to take for five days, you must do so. Even though you may feel better, do not stop taking the medicine until you complete the course. This is because the antibiotics may not have killed all the infectious bacteria. Therefore, allowing the remaining bacteria to thrive and possibly become resistant. The bacteria may re-infect you and you can become sick again later.
6. Antibiotic resistance occur when the bacteria cannot be killed because it adapts and find ways to survive the effects of the antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance is due largely to overuse and misuse of antibiotics. As a result, "superbug" infections can arise such as Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), which are difficult to treat.
7. One way to help curb antibiotic resistance is for you not to demand for an antibiotic when the doctor determines one is not required for your illness.
8. Any side effects should be reported immediately to your doctor. Some of the common side effects of antibiotics include rash and diarrhoea. Inform your doctor of previous allergies to a particular antibiotic or medicine. Keep records of the antibiotics or medicine name you are allergic to.
9. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve within a few days of treatment with the antibiotic, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
10. Do not share antibiotics with family or friends or keep your antibiotics for use at a later date. These antibiotics are meant to be finished for your current infection. Taking the wrong medicine could delay getting correct treatment and may allow bacteria to multiply.
11. Some patients discharged from the wards may need to continue their antibiotic treatment.
12. Any unused medicines should be returned to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
Source: Weekend, 12 July 2008
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