Named the main dangers of the abuse of antibiotics and vitamins

The large-scale study Review on Antimicrobial Resistance estimates that the annual global mortality due to bacterial resistance to antibiotics could reach ten million people by 2050. In total, this is already more than the current mortality from cancer and diabetes. First of all, such disappointing statistics are associated with the habit of self-prescribing antibiotics for fever, sore throat and other symptoms that do not require it. This practice leads to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. And in Russia it is much more widespread than in other countries of the world. What is the danger of self-medication with antibiotics, “MK” was told by the candidate of pharmaceutical sciences, associate professor, pharmacologist Svetlana Talashova.

Today, at the first symptoms of not only SARS, but also any other disease, many people do not rush to the doctor, but begin to be treated themselves, resorting to advice from the Internet and an overflowing home first-aid kit. At the same time, such independent patients often turn to “prophylactic” antibiotics, believing that in this way it is possible to stop the development of the disease and the risks of complications. “But you must always remember that this method plays against your body. Antibiotics are used to treat, but not prevent, bacterial infections. At the same time, resistance to them develops if bacteria change in response to the use of these drugs. Subsequently, it becomes more and more difficult to treat such infections, the growth of medical expenses increases, and the time required for recovery is also delayed – this is confirmed by the latest large-scale studies, ”says Svetlana Talashova.

As a result, more and more infectious diseases are emerging these days, such as pneumonia or salmonellosis, which become much more difficult to treat due to the decrease in the effectiveness of antibiotics. “That is why Roszdravnadzor tightened their leave in pharmacies a couple of years ago – only upon presentation of a doctor’s prescription. However, the Russians are still trying to bypass this requirement to replenish home kits with antibiotics. Only according to the results of a study by the Research Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 95% of Russians have antibiotics in their home medicine cabinets – from 1 to 11 drugs, ”the expert continues.

Experts strongly recommend that you adhere to the established rules and leave the appointment of these drugs at the discretion of an experienced doctor, so you are less likely to harm your own health and maximize your chances of a speedy recovery.

Dangerous myths

Unfortunately, the myth that antibiotics are the fastest panacea for all diseases has taken root in society. “It is this erroneous and dangerous opinion that has led the population to use them for no apparent reason. At the same time, people do not take into account the peculiarities of the effect of the drug on internal organs, allergic reactions and possible undesirable interactions with other drugs taken, for example, for the treatment of chronic diseases. Antibiotics cannot cure any disease. For example, with SARS, they will not affect the rate of recovery in any way, since they simply cannot act on viruses that are provocateurs of seasonal diseases. A doctor will prescribe an antibiotic, most often if, after 4–5 days of treatment with antiviral drugs, a high temperature remains and symptoms increase, which indicates the addition of a bacterial infection. And another reason for antibiotics is angina (acute tonsillitis, inflammation caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus). Prescribing an antibacterial drug is the prerogative of a doctor only,” Talashova emphasizes.

If you doubt the etiology of the disease, only special tests will help to establish the true pathogen – a virus or a bacterium.

Another dangerous misconception is that it is not necessary to complete the course of an antibiotic if there is an improvement. If you started taking an antibacterial drug, then you must complete the course to the end, as indicated in the instructions. Unfortunately, doctors cannot control the process of taking drugs by patients. But it is important to understand that specially prescribed courses of antibiotics are designed to wipe out entire populations of pathogens. And when the dosage regimen or duration of the course is not followed, pathogenic bacteria can adapt to the presence of antibiotics at low doses and eventually form a population that is completely resistant to the antibiotic. In this case, the next time your doctor tells you to use antibiotics, they simply won’t work.

What to do?

But what to do if you are already sick or just afraid for your health?

First, you can always consult a doctor for advice. Only a specialist can prescribe tests that will allow you to establish deficiencies and vulnerable points in your body and immunity. And if you have already felt that it was not possible to avoid SARS – to determine the “conductor” of the disease and prescribe a competent treatment to destroy it.

But you can always try to prevent the invasion of viruses into the body on your own. “First, check your gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by a key microbial community in the body – this is the microbiota. Normal flora helps to perform many physiological functions, including boosting immunity and protecting the body from pathogenic microorganisms. If the microbiota is disturbed, this requires correction. Various probiotics will help restore it,” says Svetlana Talashova.

It is also important that you are not experiencing a deficiency of any vitamins or nutrients. A 2022 scientific paper evaluating nutrition in respiratory viral infections confirmed that vitamins A and D, as well as micronutrients such as selenium and zinc, have strong immunomodulatory effects. And if your body really needs it, after passing the appropriate tests, you can start taking them. Vitamin C is traditionally taken during the cold period.

During the peak period of the incidence of SARS, be sure to include antioxidants in the diet. Their main task is to combat oxidative processes in the body. Thus, they help cells to recover and reliably strengthen the immune system. Do not ignore citrus fruits, red bell peppers, rose hips, spinach – a healthy rainbow on your plate. As well as vegetable oils, nuts, fish, avocados, liver, carrots and polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 (tuna, salmon, pink salmon).

You should not act radically when the resources of the body are already under constant attack from the outside. “In a period of increased morbidity, it is much more important to carefully take care of your body, support it with those means and drugs that will not cause harm. For example, you can use homeopathic medicines and standardized herbal remedies. Homeopathic medicines are still devoid of drug cross-interactions. They do not replace antibiotics and other life-saving drugs. However, the large-scale EPI3 study shows that the inclusion of homeopathic medicines in the treatment regimen for upper respiratory tract infections results in a 57% reduction in the use of antibiotics and a 46% reduction in the use of antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs. This means that you reduce the drug load and the risk of side effects, while getting a good therapeutic result. So, if you cannot refuse classical therapy, it makes sense to combine it with natural remedies, at least in order to reduce the overall drug load, ”the expert believes.

And finally, adjust your lifestyle. To work for you, the body needs the right base – healthy sleep, sufficient physical activity and, of course, the absence of bad habits. The statistics are relentless in that smokers are more likely to get colds and have more severe symptoms. And drinking alcoholic beverages, in turn, causes dehydration, which significantly weakens the immune system and makes it more vulnerable to viruses.

Protecting yourself from seasonal SARS is not such a difficult task. The main thing is not to turn into a pharmacy on the way to it with a long list of online recommendations from antiviral drugs, immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory, antihistamines, etc. Always consult with specialists so as not to be hit by the development of side effects of polypharmacy, that is, the use of a large number of drugs at the same time .