In a year where flu cases have already exceeded Australia’s five-year average, while COVID cases have reached 8.9 million since 2020, one health service has seen a concerning increase in patient requests for antibiotics for the treatment of viruses.
Its leading doctor is warning Australians against the use of antibiotics for such illnesses, as they can do more harm than good.
Dr Andrew Thompson, medical director at telehealth service InstantScripts, says: “It is important to know the difference between bacterial illnesses, which may require such medicines, and viral illnesses, which don’t, as well as the health risks that can occur if antibiotics are used for viruses.”
The difference between bacterial and viral infections
“A bacterial illness occurs when bacteria multiply at the site of infection, whether that be a cut in the skin, in our gut or in our airways.
“Examples are strep throat and urinary tract infections.
“Viral infections are caused by viruses, much smaller particles that are not living organisms, but rather invade our own normal healthy cells and use our own machinery to reproduce. Examples are the common cold and chickenpox.
“Viruses and bacteria can both be spread in similar ways, such as the exchange of bodily fluids, coughing, sneezing or handling of contaminated objects.”
Dr Thompson says that differentiating the two can be difficult because both infections present similar symptoms, such as a cough or fever.
“We know that a vast majority of respiratory infections are caused by a virus and will not respond to antibiotics.
“There are certain clinical features such as persistent high-grade temperatures, swollen lymph nodes or the presence of infected material that may indicate a bacterial infection is more likely. However, there is significant overlap and these symptoms don’t provide a definitive diagnosis.
“Those who are concerned, have severe or debilitating symptoms or are feeling shortness of breath should consult with their doctor, who will examine them and order investigations such as blood tests, swabs or even X-rays to determine a diagnosis and the correct course of treatment.”
Why antibiotics are not used to treat viruses
Dr Thompson says antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, where they work in a variety of ways to destroy the invading organism.
Viruses, on the other hand, are unaffected by antibiotics. There are risks in taking antibiotics for the wrong illness.
“Antibiotics are not a benign medication as many of us may believe,” Dr Thompson says.
“Unfortunately, in Australia we have historically seen an over-prescription of antibiotics for the wrong reasons and this has led many Australians to believe these medicines are necessary for the treatment of common viral illnesses.”
The risks of treating viruses with antibiotics
“Patients can often underestimate the risk that taking antibiotics can pose to their health.
“There are immediate concerns for patient welfare in the form of allergic reactions, with antibiotics being a common cause of anaphylactic reactions in Australia – up to 25 per cent of patients present to hospitals with such allergies.
“Most importantly, our bodies contain trillions of bacteria that serve vital purposes, particularly in our gastrointestinal health.
“Antibiotics act indiscriminately on any susceptible bacteria they come across, so they will not only attack a potential infection but can also destroy the body’s supply of good bacteria.
“This can result in a variety of issues, from mild gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhoea and bloating, to severe life-threatening emergencies, including cases where invasive bacteria, known as clostridium difficile, take over once the good bacteria have been eradicated.”
Dr Thompson says there is also an increasing concern over the development of strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
“Repeated exposure to a particular antibiotic allows bacteria to evolve a resistance to those medications. In some cases, bacteria can develop resistance to multiple antibiotics and become very difficult to treat, often requiring hospitalisation and intravenous medications.
“These risks extend to the community as well.
“The elderly, frail and unwell are particularly vulnerable to these resistant bacteria and the treatment of multi-resistant infections can put an increased burden on our already overworked healthcare system.”
What to do if you catch a virus
Dr Thompson strongly encourages Australians with a viral infection, such as COVID or the flu, to consult a doctor.
“There are various medicines that can provide symptomatic relief to make these illnesses more tolerable,” he says.
“Any Australians that may find it difficult to access a doctor due to shortages and long wait lists can consider using a telehealth service such as InstantScripts for advice on easing viral symptoms.”
Dr Andrew Thompson is a registered doctor at leading telehealth and prescription service InstantScripts.
Were you aware of when to use an antibiotic or not? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
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