Antibiotics are among the most important medicines ever discovered. They have saved millions of lives from infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis and sepsis. But in India, antibiotics are often taken for every cold, cough or fever, bought without a prescription, or stopped halfway. In this video, Dr. Dipak Viradia, Chest Physician & Intensivist, explains when antibiotics help, when they harm, and how to use them safely.

Antibiotics work only against bacteria. Antibiotics kill bacteria. They have no effect on viruses, which cause most colds, flu, sore throats and viral fevers. Taking antibiotics for these illnesses does not speed up recovery, but it still exposes you to side effects.

How antibiotics can cause harm:

• Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach upset and rashes are common.
• Allergic reactions: some people develop allergies, which can occasionally be severe and life-threatening.
• Damage to good bacteria: antibiotics also kill the healthy bacteria in the gut, which can lead to diarrhoea, and sometimes a serious bowel infection, as well as fungal infections in the mouth or private parts.
• Interactions: some antibiotics interact with other medicines, or affect the liver, kidneys or heart rhythm.
• Antibiotic resistance: the biggest danger. When antibiotics are overused or misused, bacteria learn to survive them. Infections caused by these resistant bacteria are harder to treat, need stronger and costlier medicines, and in the ICU can be life-threatening. Resistance affects not just the individual but the whole community.

Safe antibiotic use: simple rules

1. Take antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor.
2. Don’t self-medicate or buy antibiotics over the counter for cold, cough or fever.
3. Take them exactly as prescribed: the right dose, at the right time, for the advised number of days. Don’t stop early or continue longer on your own. For conditions like tuberculosis, completing the full treatment is essential.
4. Don’t use leftover antibiotics or share them with family members.
5. Don’t pressure your doctor for antibiotics if they say your illness is viral.
6. Tell your doctor about any previous allergy to medicines.

When antibiotics are needed, don’t avoid them. For bacterial infections such as pneumonia, TB, urinary infections or sepsis, antibiotics can be life-saving, and delaying them can be dangerous. The goal is not to fear antibiotics, but to use them wisely.

Dr. Dipak Viradia
Chest Physician & Intensivist | Interventional Pulmonologist & ECMO Specialist
Rudrax Chest Clinic, 301, Solaris Royce, Opp. Old RTO, Athwagate, Ring Road, Surat – 395001
Appointment: +91 75676 19985
Website: www.drdipakviradia.com