Antibacterial drugs are a powerful weapon in the medical field against bacterial infections, but if they are not used properly, not only cannot effectively treat the disease, but they can also have many negative consequences. Therefore, it is essential to understand the concerns about the use of anti-bacterial drugs.
First of all, it is important to follow medical instructions. The doctor will determine the appropriate type of antibacterial drug, the dose and the course of treatment, based on a combination of factors such as the type of infection, the severity of the infection and the condition of the patient. Patients are not free to reduce their dose or change their time interval, and self-inflicted dosages do not necessarily increase the efficacy of the treatment, but may increase the toxic side effects of the drug; and self-inflicted dosages or early withdrawals are likely to lead to a failure to eliminate the bacteria completely, leading to a recurrence of the infection and even to resistance. For example, when treating pneumonia, doctors develop a programme of specific treatments based on the type and condition of the disease, which should be strictly enforced.
The identification of drug use as an important prerequisite for the use of antibacterial drugs. Antibacterial drugs are effective only for bacterial infections and use of antibacterial drugs is ineffective for viral infections such as common flu and influenza. In many cases, patients are eager to use antibacterial drugs at the onset of a cold, which is a mistake. As the cold is mostly caused by viruses, treatment for the symptoms, such as the use of defunct drugs, cough pills and so forth, should be used instead of the blind use of antibacterial drugs. Unnecessary use of antibacterial drugs not only wastes medical resources but also disrupts the normal micro-ecological balance of the human body and causes the potential for subsequent bacterial infections.
Attention to allergies is a key element in securing medicines. Before using anti-bacterial drugs, patients are required to inform the doctor as to whether they have a history of drug allergies, especially those that are susceptible to an allergic reaction, such as penicillin and headgillin. Some patients may have cross-sensitivity to a variety of antibacterial drugs and risk life if there is a severe allergic reaction, such as an allergic shock. Therefore, an allergy test, such as a skin test, may be required for the first use of an antibacterial drug, and its own reaction will be closely observed during the use of the drug, and if there are signs of allergies such as rashes, itching, respiratory difficulties, etc., the drug should be stopped and treated immediately.
Attention to the interaction of drugs should also not be overlooked. When some antibacterial drugs are used in conjunction with other drugs, they may interact, affect the efficacy of treatment or increase the risk of adverse reactions. For example, the combination of some antibacterial drugs with anticondensants may increase condensation and lead to an increased risk of haemorrhage; the combination of oral contraceptives may reduce the effects of contraceptives and increase the probability of unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, during the use of antibacterial drugs, if other drugs are needed, doctors should be informed so that doctors can assess the possibility of drug interaction and adjust the drug programme.
Special groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with incomplete liver and kidneys need to be particularly cautious when using antibacterial drugs. Children are not fully developed in their organs and some antibacterial drugs may affect their growth and development, such as quinone-type drugs, which are generally not recommended for use by young people under 18. In the case of pregnant women, there is a need to consider the effects of drugs on the foetus, such as amino-sugar-type drugs, which may cause loss of the foetus ‘ s hearing. The reduction of liver and kidney function of older persons, the reduction of drug metabolism and excretion, and the risk of ingestion of toxic substances in the body, often require appropriate adjustments in the dose. If the liver or kidney function is incomplete, the doctor selects the appropriate antibacterial drugs and adjusts the dose to avoid increasing the liver or kidney burden, depending on the degree of impairment of the liver or kidney function.
Antibacterial drugs are a double-edged sword that can be used correctly to maximize its therapeutic effects while minimizing the risk of adverse reactions and bacterial resistance. Patients and health-care providers should give high priority to the use of anti-bacterial drugs and work together to safeguard public health.
