Superbugs are bacteria that have adapted and evolved to resist multiple antibiotic drugs. Part of the reason they exist is because we have been overusing antibiotics, not just in medicine, but in agriculture and other fields. Every time we expose bacteria to these drugs, the ones that are tough enough to survive have a chance to grow and multiply. They can even share their drug-resistant traits with other bacteria, and they can spread to other people.
Over time, the drugs become less effective or may not work at all against certain disease-causing bacteria. Each year these drug-resistant bacteria infect more than 2 million people nationwide and kill at least 23,000 people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So we have a serious duty to ensure that we are not using antibiotics except when it is truly necessary.
First, antibiotics do NOT work on viruses such as the cold or flu. They only work on bacterial infections. If you take antibiotics when they are not needed, you increase the risk of creating superbugs while killing off the good bacteria that your body needs to fight infection. Antibiotics also can also cause side effects, such as nausea or diarrhea. So we certainly don’t want to take them when they are not needed and won’t help us feel better.
The first thing doctors consider when deciding whether or not to prescribe an antibiotic is whether your symptoms point to a virus or a bacterial infection. If your doctor suspects you may have a bacterial infection, they may also want to confirm that with a lab test before prescribing antibiotics. For viruses, they will typically advise that you get plenty of rest and fluids and let your body’s own natural defenses do the job of fighting the virus. They can also give you some advice on how to relieve your symptoms in the meantime.
The most important thing you can do is give your body plenty of rest and fluids and time to fight the virus. It often takes 10-14 days – or more – for your body to fight off a virus.
Here are some home remedies or over-the-counter solutions that can relieve your symptoms while you wait:
- Sore throat - ice chips, honey, gargling with salt water, lozenges*
- Runny nose or sinus pressure - saline nasal sprays, over-the-counter decongestants*
- Fever, body aches, earaches -- Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol*
- Cough -- room humidifier, bowl of water near the heat vent, lozenges*
*Do not give medications to young children without first consulting your child’s doctor. If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor before using decongestants.
