Antibiotics for influenza and colds: what you need to know

Antibiotics are a very popular remedy for bacterial infections at the present time. And since the last century nothing special has changed in the minds of ordinary people. As they were considered a panacea for all troubles, this is how it is now. But is it really so? Can I cure, for example, a cold with antibiotics? And the flu? In this article we will try to understand this topic.

What is an antibiotic?

If you look at the name of this kind of medicine, then immediately becomes clear their purpose. The prefix "anti" indicates that antibiotics are struggling with something. And if you look at the second part of the word, it turns out that these are medicines that fight with living organisms.

But this is very generalized. After all, not every living organism becomes a target of such drugs. In this regard, antibiotics against influenza and colds - this is a very controversial topic. After all, everyone knows that the main causative agents of these diseases are viruses. And antibiotics are directed primarily at the bacteria. So you can safely say that this group of drugs is fighting bacteria.

Types of antibiotics

In total, two types of antibiotics are distinguished according to the spectrum of action:

• In a broad sense, this is the most common group of antibacterial drugs that can kill a number of enemy microorganisms. When we go to the doctor, and he assigns to us what we perceive as antibiotics from the flu and colds.
• In a narrow sense, they are designed to treat bacterial infections in which the pathogen is clearly defined. This category of antibiotics is not so dangerous to health and it does not have so many side effects. But at the same time, for treatment, for example, complications of acute respiratory infections, they are badly suited. After all, the latter can be caused by a number of microorganisms.

This is actually information for general education. You need to understand that when antibiotics are selected from influenza and colds, they are inherently more dangerous. And the fault is the attack, which falls on a number of your native bacteria that provide immunity.

Can I treat colds with antibiotics?

Proceeding from all the above, the answer becomes very simple and understandable: antibiotics can not be treated with cold. After all, the latter is caused by viruses. The effectiveness of such treatment necessarily acquires a negative sign in the long term. And it turns out that moms, who give their children antibiotics at the slightest sneeze, actually maim them, without understanding it.

In which cases do you really need to apply them?

Despite this, in some cases, the use of antibiotics is not only shown, but also necessary for the preservation of human life. When should this be done? Antibiotics against influenza and cold can not be used, but during complications it is necessary that they do not flow into much more life-threatening conditions. In general, there are many possible complications of acute respiratory viral infection. Here are just a few of them:

1. Bronchitis. It seems just an innocuous illness. But in the long term, it can become chronic, and then move into a much more dangerous form. First it will be an asthmatic bronchitis, and then it will become a bronchial asthma. To prevent this, you need to take antibiotics.
2. Pneumonia. It is also not formed by itself, but often becomes a consequence of bronchitis. To prevent it, not only need to heal with antibiotics, but also provide a large number of walking tours on the street, naturally, if there is no temperature. A recumbent lifestyle can aggravate the course of any ARVI due to congestive phenomena in the lungs.
3. Bronchial asthma. It can occur not only on the background of bronchitis, but also because of the simple frequent ARVI. That's why they need to be cured to the end. Frequent relapse is a direct way to allergic processes in the airways.

These are only three diseases. Still there are such unpleasant conditions, as a sinusitis or a genyantritis, an otitis, a rheumatoid arthritis which also are complications of illnesses of the top respiratory ways. In general, a whole range of possible diseases. So before complications it is better not to bring. Moreover, nobody canceled the harm from antibiotics.

What are the effects of taking antibiotics during ARVI?

What will happen with the body, if during ARVI treatment with antibiotics? In general, if this happens once, then it's okay. You may even feel that the patient's condition has improved significantly. But this is only a placebo on his part or a natural recovery, which comes with ARVI always. And so, if you constantly use antibiotics for colds and flu, then there can be such consequences.

1. Low immunity. In our body is a huge number of bacteria that become victims of broad-spectrum antibiotics. And since most of the microorganisms are in the intestine, if you use antibiotics for colds and flu, this can lead to a significant decrease in immunity.
2. Deterioration of the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of this group. Everything in our world is able to adapt, and microbes are no exception. So if you want to ask yourself which antibiotic to drink from flu and cold, then do not even think about it. After all, eventually bacteria will get used to shock doses of a medicine, and it will cease to act on them, it is necessary to pass to heavier antibiotics which lead to the following consequence.
3. Liver. Naturally, all people know that antibiotics primarily harm the liver, especially the old ones. Naturally, the same macrolides, which are used in the treatment of the simplest complications of acute respiratory infections, can not do so much harm to this organ, but if they treat any cold, they will have to use heavier drugs. But then a blow on the liver will go noble.

So you need to understand: the common cold, flu and antibiotics are simply incompatible. And do not even try to refute it.

And how to treat viral infections?

Well, there is another question, how to treat a cold then, because it is not necessary to lead to complications. It all depends on how often you are sick. If this happens all the time, then you need to do more sports and walk in the street at healthy intervals, everything will go away.

But if you rarely get sick, then support some of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in particular, mefenamic acid. It is cheap and very effective in treating ARVI. Even often a sick person under her influence starts to catch a cold less often. But it can not be taken for long, no more than one course. Because any NSAIDs have a negative effect on the digestive system. And in combination with alcohol - this, in general, lethal force.

Which antibiotics should I take?

What are antibiotics for a cold? Colds, flu, ARVI are all diseases that can lead to complications. And if they have already happened, it is best to start drinking antibiotics such as macrolides. They are relatively harmless and at the same time effective. A very good drug is "Azithromycin", and "Erythromycin" is also not bad.

These drugs are productive in the treatment of complications. But in no case do not self-medicate. You can not even imagine how serious a danger can be to your body. It is better if you feel unwell after you seem to have recovered, then contact your doctor. He will help. But the best antibiotics for cold and flu, or rather for their complications, are listed above.

conclusions

So, we figured out a lot of things. In particular, we realized that it is generally not necessary to ask which antibiotic is better for drinking colds. But if there are already exacerbations, then at times he can save his life or prevent disability. But still need to communicate more with the doctor and become an active participant in the healing process. Only in this case you can guarantee health. Do self-medication is never worth it.