We have all been sick with colds and sore throats at some point in our lives and anyone sick with them can say they are no fun. It is very natural for us when sick to seek a way out of the miserable discomfort of mild to moderate illnesses and at one time or another, you may have received antibiotics for your cold or sore throat. Well, I need to burst a bubble and explain why this practice is not in your best interest. This practice can cause antibiotic resistance illness which is a bigger danger to us all.

Antibiotics, also known as antimicrobial drugs, are drugs that fight infections caused by bacteria in both humans and animals. Antibiotics fight these infections either by killing the bacteria or making it difficult for the bacteria to grow and multiply. The name says it all, they work against bacteria therefore antibiotics do not have any effect on viruses.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms found all over the inside and outside of our bodies. Many bacteria are not harmful and some are important for us to maintain healthy flora, for example, probiotics help promote the good bacteria in our digestive tract. However, disease-causing bacteria can cause illnesses such as strep throat, pneumonia, pertussis, and meningitis. Viruses, on the other hand, are microbes that are even smaller than bacteria that cannot survive outside the body’s cells. They cause illness by invading our healthy cells. Because antibiotics do not work on viruses, the following viral infections should not be treated with antibiotics:

—Colds

—Influenza

—Most sore throats

—Most coughs and bronchitis (“chest colds”)

—Many sinus infections

—Many ear infections

By receiving antibiotics for these viral illnesses, we are contributing to the antibiotic resistance crisis that is happening globally for many bacterial illnesses.

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other agents designed to cure or prevent infections. Thus, the bacteria survive and continue to multiply, causing more harm.

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can promote the development of resistant bacteria. Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant bacteria are left to grow and multiply. Bacteria can also mutate their genetic material. This is how repeated use of antibiotics can increase the number of drug-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Resistant bacteria can cause illnesses that were once easily treatable with antibiotics into now dangerous, untreatable infections. Resistant Bacterial infections can spread to family members, schoolmates, and co-workers, threatening our entire community. Because these infections can be untreatable, they can lead to serious disability or even death.

Currently, these bacterial infections have been classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the top drug-resistant threats to the United States:

—Clostridium Difficile (CDIFF)

—Neisseria gonorrhea

—Campylobacter

—Salmonella

—Shigella

—Tuberculosis

—Streptococcus Pneumonia

—Staphylococcus Aureus

We should all be taking serious steps to do what we can to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistant illnesses. Here is what you can do:

—Take prescribed antibiotics exactly as your health provider tells you

—Discard any leftover medications you may have

—Never skip doses of antibiotics

—Never take antibiotics for viral infections like the cold or flu

—Don’t pressure your heath provider for prescription antibiotics

—Never save antibiotics for the “next illness”

—Never buy antibiotics over the internet and attempt to treat yourself

—Seek alternative and symptomatic relief when you are sick with a viral illness

—Get vaccinated against vaccine preventable bacterial infections

We can all be part of the solution to prevent and stop antibiotic resistant illnesses and we need to start now.

Call Lincoln County Public Health for questions, more information, or to get vaccinated. (406) 283-2447

To discard of your old, expired, or leftover medications, call (406) 283-2447.

Riley Black is public health nurse for Lincoln County.