Indians are extremely naive, or totally clueless about their health. Even after so much has been said about the dangers of antibiotic resistance – the potentially fatal superbugs, and the scary post-antibiotic era – 75 per cent Indians still believe that antibiotics cure a cold, says the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to the latest survey in 12 countries by the WHO, it was found that in India, three-quarters of the respondents were aware of the seriousness of antibiotic resistance, yet the same number thought that antibiotics are the answer for seasonal illnesses like flu. Half of them even stopped taking antibiotics midway, as soon as they felt better.
Well my friend, this ain’t no joke.
- Antibiotics are for bacterial diseases like a stomach infection or post-surgery.
- Colds and flu are caused by viruses.
- Antibiotics will not shorten the course of illness or make you any less sick.
- Taking antibiotics for viral diseases ups your chances of superinfections like vaginal yeasts and other superbugs.
- 1 in every 1,000 patients who unnecessarily take antibiotics end up in the emergency room with a serious drug reaction.