Antibiotic Resistance and Self-Medication: Why It Matters

6 min read · Medicines · By the Asthra Health Care team

What antibiotics do

Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria or stop them from growing. They are life-saving for illnesses such as typhoid, bacterial pneumonia, urine infections and infected wounds. But they do nothing against viruses. Most colds, coughs, sore throats, flu and many cases of loose motions are caused by viruses, so an antibiotic will not make you better faster in these illnesses.

Taking an antibiotic when it is not needed gives you all the side effects and none of the benefit. It also harms the helpful bacteria that live in your gut and on your skin. These friendly bacteria protect you, and when they are wiped out, problems such as diarrhoea or fungal infections can follow.

What antibiotic resistance means

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change so that a medicine that once killed them no longer works. Every time antibiotics are used, the weakest germs die first and the tougher ones may survive and multiply. Over time, these tougher germs spread in homes, hospitals and communities.

The WHO considers antimicrobial resistance one of the biggest threats to global health. Resistant infections are harder to treat, may need injections or hospital stays, and cost families much more. Some infections now have very few medicines left that still work.

Common self-medication habits

In India, it is easy to ask a chemist for 'a strong tablet' for fever or cough. Many people also keep leftover tablets from an earlier illness and use them again, or share them with family members. These habits feel convenient but are a major driver of resistance.

• Buying antibiotics without a prescription for cold, cough or fever
• Stopping the course as soon as you feel better, without asking the doctor
• Using leftover antibiotics from a previous illness
• Giving your antibiotic to a child or relative with similar symptoms
• Asking the doctor to 'give an antibiotic just in case'

Why the right medicine matters

Different bacteria respond to different antibiotics. A doctor chooses the medicine based on where the infection is, your age, allergies, pregnancy, kidney and liver health, and sometimes on test results. A wrong choice may hide symptoms while the infection keeps growing, and it can delay the correct diagnosis.

Antibiotics can also cause side effects such as diarrhoea, stomach upset, rashes, and in some people serious allergic reactions. Some interact with other medicines, including certain blood thinners and seizure medicines. Elderly people and those with kidney or liver disease need extra care, which is another reason the choice belongs to a doctor.

How doctors decide

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine you and may order tests before deciding. A urine culture, blood culture or throat swab can show which germ is causing the problem and which antibiotic will work against it. A complete blood count and CRP can suggest whether a bacterial infection is likely.

Sometimes the doctor will advise waiting and watching for a few days with rest, fluids and simple fever relief. This is good medicine, not a sign that the doctor is careless. Many viral illnesses settle on their own, and the doctor will tell you which warning signs mean you should come back sooner.

Using antibiotics safely

Antibiotics should be taken only on a doctor's prescription. Once prescribed, follow the instructions exactly and do not change or stop the course on your own. If you get side effects or do not improve, go back to the doctor instead of switching medicines yourself.

• Tell the doctor about allergies, pregnancy, breastfeeding and other medicines
• Do not save leftover tablets or share them
• Return unused antibiotics to a pharmacy or follow local disposal advice
• For children, use only the medicine and measuring device the doctor advises

Preventing infections in the first place

Fewer infections mean fewer antibiotics. Wash hands with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet. Drink safe, boiled or filtered water, particularly during the monsoon when typhoid and stomach infections rise. Keep vaccinations up to date for children and adults, and cover coughs and sneezes.

If you have a fever, cough or stomach upset, consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. They can guide you on whether an antibiotic is truly needed, which one is right, and what simple care at home will help you recover safely and quickly.

This article is general health information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or combine medicines on your own — always follow your doctor's prescription and ask your pharmacist if unsure.