Flu and antibiotics - is this combination appropriate? Is treatment of flu with antibiotics advisable? It is commonly believed that an antibiotic is a flu medicine, so when a doctor diagnoses this disease, we ask him for a prescription for an antibiotic. But is flu a disease that can be treated with antibiotics?

Fluandantibiotic- is this combination appropriate? Is treating flu with antibiotics appropriate? An antibiotic is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Meanwhile, flu is a disease caused by viruses, so antibiotics are ineffective in this case. Taking antibiotics as a flu medicine not only will not cure the disease, it can also worsen your he alth.

Flu and antibiotics - flu is not treated with antibiotics

Treating flu is to relieve symptoms. You can use, for example, paracetamol with an antipyretic and analgesic effect, or ibuprofen with additional anti-inflammatory properties. You can also reach for drugs containing ingredients that decongest the vessels of the nasal and throat mucosa, and caffeine that strengthens the analgesic effect and antihistamines to help you fall asleep.

In the treatment of influenza, apart from antibiotics, acetylsalicylic acid is also inadvisable.

Depending on the accompanying symptoms, the doctor may also recommend antitussive or runny nose medications.

In some cases, flu antiviral medication may be used. The administration of the drug should be started within 2 days after the onset of symptoms, although an effect of the drug can also be expected when administered at a later date. The preparation should always be used in accordance with the doctor's recommendations.

Proper hydration is also important (e.g. warm teas with honey and lemon, natural fruit juices). In addition, the sick person needs a lot of rest, sleep and rest in bed. You should also ventilate the room where the diseases are often.

Good to know:

  • What is the flu virus?
  • Flu in children - symptoms and treatment
  • Flu in pregnancy - is it dangerous?
  • Dangerous complications of the flu
  • Flu vaccines 2022/2018
  • Parainfluenza (parainfluenza)
Important

Flu is caused by viruses andantibiotics do not work against viruses, but bacteria, so they won't help cure flu.

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What might be the effects of treating flu with antibiotics?

The use of antibiotics in the course of flu may be counterproductive, instead of improving the patient's he alth, it may worsen it. Misuse of antibiotics has many side effects, such as:

  • ailments related to the digestive system
  • destroying the natural bacterial flora
  • multiplication of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains

CHECK:Antibiotics: side effects of taking antibiotics

When is the use of an antibiotic in the course of flu justified?

The use of antibiotics is indicated if complications related to secondary bacterial superinfection occur in the course of the flu.

When there is a sore throat and its redness (suggestive of angina), symptoms of sinusitis, or a significant deterioration in the patient's condition, antibiotics may be appropriate. However, the therapy should never be started with this type of medication.

Category:

Infectious diseases