Antibiotics Not The Solution For Coughs, Colds And Sore Throats - The North West

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Antibiotics Not The Solution For Coughs, Colds And Sore Throats - The

North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Reminds Residents

With the onset of winter, residents of Brent and Harrow are being

reminded that antibiotics are not the solution for infections such as

coughs, colds and sore throats.

Dr Bharat Patel, Consultant Microbiologist at The North West London

Hospitals NHS Trust, says:

" Antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections.

Taking antibiotics for the wrong reasons has no benefit to the

patient and can cause nasty side effects such as diarrhoea.

Not only that, taking or prescribing antibiotics incorrectly also

causes bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, therefore making

them become ineffective in the future. "

The Trust is marking European Antibiotic Awareness Day (Tuesday 18

November) with a week of events and initiatives for staff and the

public.

The week aims to remind the public of the fact that antibiotics don't

work on most coughs, colds and sore throats, and to raise awareness

amongst staff of the need for prescribing antibiotics responsibly.

Dr Patel says:

" The key thing for the public to remember is to always follow your

doctor's advice on when and how to use antibiotics, so they can be

effective now and also in the future. "

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/131079.php

Alana