TV presenter and infectious disease specialist, Dr Chris Van Tulleken, gives us the low-down on how popping pills could be doing us more harm than good
Recent figures show that around 5,000 deaths are caused in England every year simply because antibiotics are no longer working for infections that they used to cure – so could you be at risk?
They can make things worse, not better
“If you take antibiotics for a cold, or for a minor infection that doesn’t respond to them, you will breed “resistance” bacteria inside your own body instead,”
Dr Chris explains. This means antibiotics may not work next time, when you actually need them, which can put you at risk.
“One message we’re trying to get across is they only work when you have a serious infection, and a lot of the time they’re just not needed at all.”
Listen to your GP
“If you’re worried, go to your GP, practise nurse or pharmacist and listen to their advice. Trust your doctor. We are being supported and educated, so we don’t prescribe more antibiotics than necessary.
“And there is misinformation out there – I was on a radio show recently and the DJ said, ‘Well, some businesses don’t allow you to take more than a couple of days off sick, so you have to take antibiotics.’
“But if your infection is viral, antibiotics won’t work anyway, and you’re more likely to spend time off work due to complications from taking them, because they disrupt your natural gut bacteria.”
What antibiotics can treat and what they can’t
Can treat
Bacterial infections
- Pneumonia
- Certain STIs
- Severe acne
- Impetigo
- Kidney infection
Can’t treat
Viral infections
- Most earaches
- Sore throat
- Coughs
- Runny nose
- Flu
Doctors are trained to work out when you have a bacterial infection and when it’s viral.
“Antibiotics work really well when you have a bacterial infection (like those listed above), but for most illnesses where you feel a bit under the weather, like having a sore throat , a cough, a runny nose or a cold, they don’t work at all,” explains Dr Chris.
How to take antibiotics properly
● Ensure you only take them as prescribed by your GP.
● Always finish the course, even if you are feeling better.
● If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue the course as normal. However, if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose as there is an increased risk of side effects if you take two doses closer than recommended.
How to stay healthy without antibiotics
Look after your good bacteria
“The largest immune organ in your body is the bacteria in your gut, which can weigh up to one kilo. Those bacteria also cover your skin, and line your nose and the back of your throat,” explains Dr Chris.
“The bacteria exist in a fine balance, and they’re there to fight off harmful bacteria and help you digest food. They also secrete vitamins and beneficial chemicals. But when you take antibiotics, they don’t just kill the harmful bacteria, they also kill the good ones too. So look after them by doing things like eating lots of fibre and green vegetables.”
Boost your immune system
The best thing to do is try to avoid getting ill in the first place, so you won’t need any antibiotics, advises Dr Chris.
“Reduce your alcohol intake, improve your diet, exercise, and get as much sleep as you can – you should be aiming for at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. And if you are suffering from a viral infection, keep yourself hydrated and warm, and stay in bed for a couple of days to get over it.”
