The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has warned against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics like Azithromycin and Amoxiclav to treat symptoms in reaction to the rising numbers of cough, cold, and nausea cases across the nation.
The IMA stated that the H3N2 influenza virus is primarily to blame for the majority of seasonal cold and cough cases now being recorded, which can occasionally cause nausea, sore throat, fever, body aches, and diarrhoea. While the cough can remain for three weeks, the fever should only last up to three days.
Scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have also claimed that the persistent cough that has occurred in India over the past two months, occasionally accompanied by fever, is caused by influenza A subtype H3N2, according to PTI.
“Right now, people start taking antibiotics like Azithromycin and Amoxiclav etc, that too without caring for done and frequency and stop it once start feeling better. This needs to be stopped as it leads to antibiotic resistance. Whenever there will be a real use of antibiotics, they will not work due to the resistance,” IMA said in a statement.
Instead, doctors should exercise “self-control” and “regulation” and use medical therapy that addresses the relevant symptoms. The IMA also suggests practising good hand and respiratory hygiene, avoiding crowded areas, and getting immunisations.
Before prescribing antibiotics, it is important to determine if the infection is bacterial or not, the association stated.
