The Truth About Antibiotics
- Aida Lau
- 2 hours ago
- 1 min read
Antibiotics: What Every Patient Should Know
Many people believe antibiotics are the fastest way to recover from a cough or sore throat.
Unfortunately, that's one of the biggest myths in medicine.
Antibiotics only kill bacteria.
They do not treat viruses.
The common cold.
Most sore throats.
Influenza.
COVID-19.
These are viral infections.
Taking antibiotics won't make you recover faster.
Instead, unnecessary antibiotics increase the risk of side effects such as diarrhoea, allergic reactions and fungal infections.
Even more importantly, overusing antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
This means bacteria gradually become resistant to the medicines we rely on.
One day, antibiotics may stop working when we genuinely need them.
As doctors, we don't refuse antibiotics because we want patients to suffer.
We prescribe them only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
Sometimes, the best treatment is simply allowing your immune system to do its job.