Antibiotics 'ineffective for coughs'

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20767470


Overprescribing of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance

Antibiotics are ineffective in treating patients with persistent coughs caused by mild chest infections, the Lancet journal reports.

About 2,000 patients across 12 European countries filled in an 'illness' diary.

The study found that the severity and duration of symptoms in patients treated with antibiotics were no different to those given a placebo.

But experts caution that if pneumonia is suspected, antibiotics should still be used due to the disease's severity.

[mucifer]

1. Antibiotics are for bacterial infections. Most coughs are viruses. Makes sense.

[2on2u]

2. I had a persistent cough... took some Reishi extract. n/t

[darkangel218]

3. Yah but viral respiratory infections usually are followed by bacterial infections

If antibiotics are not taken. The imune system is weakened due to fighting the virus, thus making the body more succeptible to bacterial infections.

[mucifer]

5. That's not true. Viruses usually go away by themselves if you have a decent immune system.

Way too many people are taking antibiotics.

I have had a lot of persistant coughs over the years and NEVER required antibiotics. I'm still here.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. not true.

taking an unnecessary antibiotic weakens your body because it kills off some good bacteria too, and it creates Superbugs.

Antibiotics may make fighting flu harder
Drugs hit beneficial bacteria that keep immune system alert
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/71187/description/Antibiotics_may_make_fighting_flu_harder

[darkangel218]

7. Well i almost died from a viral infection which turned bacterial after 2 weeks.

So that theory doesn't always work. Obvioulsy it has to be determined case by case.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. my grandson just got over pneumonia

and I had walking pneumonia years ago after a viral infection too, but that doesn't mean it Usually happens. This is his 10th? cold/cough/virus (he's in daycare) and I've had at least that many in 40 years, (that I can remember). Any cough that lasts more than a week and a half should be checked out by a doc especially if there are any other symptoms. (fever, foul mucus).

hope you're feeling better!

[darkangel218]

10. Oh im fine now thanks :)

That was years ago. My PC doctor at the time refused to prescribe me antibiotics, kept saying it was just a virus, until I was so weak and the fever was so high I ended up in ER.

My mistake too, should've went to the ER sooner.

[Mona]

4. we are making things worse

With our efforts to use antibiotics wiser - often shortening the amount of time they are prescribed, which is one sure way to create Resistance. That's if you can get aa script, often having to go back several times until you are sick enough - I've yet to have a sinus infection resolve without a 2 week course of antibiotics, and there is at least one study out there that says abx are useless for sinus infections.

There are coughs where antibiotics are effective, would have to look at the study to comment further. There was a big study done about glucosamine and arthritis, and in the study they commented about which people it helped significantly, but the conclusion they wrote was that it did not help. In that case, they are protecting big pharm. In this case I believe they think they are fighting against abx overuse. However, we all know the big culprit is use of abx in farm animals - nearly 80% of our abx are used for this purpose because of how we raise and care for the animals we eat.

[kickysnana]

13. +1

[bemildred]

8. But opiates and opioids work great.

I have lung damage and I dread respiratory illnesses, and I keep "pain pills" around for that reason, not for pain, they are great for a cough. Us old people remember when you could get Terpin Hydrate for coughs. I don't like pain meds, but they are wonderful when you have the flu or a cold.

[gkhouston]

11. The liquid stuff is great for quick relief.

Every couple of years, I get bronchitis and the lingering cough is hell.

[bemildred]

12. Yep, that's it, that "lingering" cough.

Which is really a self-perpetuating cough, it makes your throat sore and that makes you cough, which makes your throat sore, and so on. One night with the pain meds, maybe two, and it's gone. Without, it can take weeks to gradually fade away.

[SheilaT]

14. What's really scary is how many people, including doctors,

who defend the casual use of antibiotics for every little thing that comes along.

They are absolutely wonderful when needed. Meanwhile, our immune systems really are designed to deal with a large variety of things. And if you have a compromised immune system, I am not talking about you.