Why Antibiotic Misuse Can Be Dangerous: Advice from Dr. A Murali
In today’s fast-paced society, antibiotics are often viewed as a magic bullet for fever, cough, or any insignificant sickness. But did you know that if you misuse antibiotics, then it could cause more harm than good? A solution to a fever or cough can seem quick and easy, and this is the issue that is growing, especially in city areas where more people reside like Coimbatore, and indeed this is the case across Tamil Nadu, according to Dr. A Murali, an experienced Infectious Disease Specialist in Coimbatore.
At Sun Speciality Clinics – FeVac Centre, Dr. Murali has considerable experience in treating patients for infections that are resistant to antibiotics. These infections are avoidable, but sadly failing to understand antibiotics misuse has meant that they are growing. In this article, we explain what it means to misuse antibiotics, how it will affect your health and the best way to use them safely.
What Is Antibiotic Misuse?
Antibiotic misuse is essentially when antibiotics are used incorrectly, which can include:
- Taking antibiotics without consulting a physician
- Using leftover medicines from another illness
- Failing to take the full course of medications
- Taking antibiotics for viral diseases like cold, dengue, and influenza
As per Dr. A Murali, “Antibiotics do not work on viruses, taking them needlessly increases the chance of resistance and has side effects and complications.”
Why is Misuse of antibiotics Dangerous?
- Rise of Antibiotic Resistance: When antibiotics are being misused, it makes it easier for bacteria to learn to survive. These bacteria acquire resistance, imposing a reduced response to that medicine. This leads to superbugs – dangerous bacteria that are difficult or impossible to ward off. Dr. Murali states, “Many patients I see in Coimbatore have common ±infections which no longer respond to ‘normal antibiotics and require hospitalization and strong medicines – due to misuse in the first place.”
- Misuse Leads to Misuse: Everyone takes antibiotics for viral fever, sore throat and typhoid – assuming they are bacterial – Even with viral fever, sore throat, and typhoid, a wrong diagnosis means the medicine won’t work, and it may even affect the body’s own bacteria – not to mention weaken your immunity.
- Self-Medication Should Not Be Done: Many people take antibiotics without prescriptions from pharmacies. This is allowed in many countries, including India, but is very dangerous because taking the wrong antibiotic or even taking it unnecessarily may have side effects, allergic reactions and lead to resistance to future antibiotics.
Real World Effects: What Dr. Murali Has Seen?
At Sun Speciality Clinics- Ramanathapuram, Dr. A Murali has treated many thousands of patients with resistant infections. Where these cases usually include:
- Bone and joint infection
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Skin and soft tissue infection
- Infections in cancer or transplants in immunocompromised patients
These are some very serious infections where antibiotic misuse in Coimbatore has resulted in longer, more expensive practices and even death.
Expert Tips: How to Use Antibiotics Properly?
Here are some very important tips from Dr. A Murali to help prevent misuse of antibiotics:
- Always see a qualified doctor – specifically a fever consultant or infectious disease clinician.
- Complete the course even if feeling better early.
- Do not give away or use old antibiotics.
- Do not use antibiotics for viral diseases such as dengue, malaria or flu.
- Always ask the doctor if the antibiotics would be safe for you (especially if you are having problems with your liver or kidneys).
How Sun Speciality Clinics – FeVac Centre Helps:
Dr. A Murali is the infectious disease care at Sun Speciality Clinics – FeVac Centre and treats all infections – from HIV and TB to post-transplant infections and drug-resistant bacteria. Patients in and around Coimbatore refer Dr. Murali because of his:
- Over 20 years of experience in medicine
- Post-doctoral fellowship in Infectious Disease
- Accurate diagnosis and wise use of antibiotics based on available evidence
- Patient-centric advice, counselling, and patient education
If you need advice on managing your fever, vaccination, or safe use of antibiotics, Sun Speciality Clinics is your infection care centre for all things infectious disease in Tamil Nadu.
Conclusion: Be Smart, Use Antibiotics Wisely
Antibiotic misuse in Coimbatore and other parts of India is a silent pandemic and needs to be addressed. As Dr. A Murali said. “We must use antibiotics responsibly – they are life-saving medications and are not casual medications.” Please help in our awareness campaign, by getting your family or friend to go to the doctor before taking antibiotics. Please don’t self-medicate and if you or a friend has an infection that is not getting better, seek expert care sooner rather than later.