Antibiotics have no effect on the treatment of
viral diseases
The
Deputy of Health of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences stated that
antibiotics have no effect on the treatment of viral diseases, and their
arbitrary use can lead to bacterial resistance. Dr. Ebrahim Shakiba, in an
interview with the social correspondent of Mersad news network, explained the
status of respiratory diseases in the cold seasons of the year and the ways to
prevent and treat them. He pointed to the natural increase in the prevalence of
these diseases in the autumn and winter seasons, assuring that there is no
cause for concern. Referring to the increase in respiratory diseases in the
cold seasons, the Deputy of Health of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
said: In the cold seasons, we naturally see an increase in the number of respiratory
diseases. This increase is due to the increased activity of disease-causing
viruses in cold weather. In these conditions, viruses are easily and more
readily transmitted from one person to another through respiratory droplets. In
the autumn and winter seasons, we usually see an increase in patients with
respiratory diseases such as influenza and the common cold. This is natural and
by no means indicates a global epidemic or pandemic. He further explained the
differences between influenza, the common cold, and COVID-19, and stated:
Influenza is a viral disease that has symptoms similar to the common cold and
COVID-19, but it also has important differences with these two diseases.
Influenza symptoms usually appear suddenly, so that a person may be completely
healthy and suddenly experience symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, and
cough, while the symptoms of the common cold and COVID-19 usually appear
gradually and over several days.
Dr. Shakiba, pointing out that accurate
diagnosis of the disease is only possible through laboratory tests, said: The
only definitive way to diagnose is to perform tests to determine whether a
person has influenza or COVID-19, but this is not very important for us,
because in any case, the person must observe preventive and therapeutic
measures. He added: Anyone who has cold-like symptoms, whether they have
influenza, COVID-19, or a common cold, should rest at home, drink warm liquids,
avoid fatty and fried foods, and use appropriate medications to relieve symptoms,
such as antipyretics, analgesics, and cough suppressants. Dr. Shakiba continued
his speech on the use of antibiotics in viral diseases and stated: Antibiotics
have no effect on the treatment of viral diseases and should only be prescribed
and used for the treatment of bacterial diseases. Arbitrary and excessive use
of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance. This means that if a person
develops a bacterial infection, their body becomes resistant to common
antibiotics, and treatment of the disease becomes more difficult. He
emphasized: If a person needs hospitalization, medical centers are ready to
provide treatment services. The most important factor in controlling
respiratory diseases is observing hygiene and prevention principles. People
should be aware that by observing these principles, they both prevent
themselves from contracting diseases and prevent their transmission to others.