Why antibiotics for coronavirus can be dangerous

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Taking these drugs "to prevent complications" is to shoot yourself in the foot.

A diagnosis of COVID-19 and even fear of it often leads people to take antibiotics at the first hint of cold symptoms. Moreover: quite often these drugs are prescribed even by doctors - "for the prevention of Tackling antimicrobial resistance in the COVID-19 pandemic" complications.

The life hacker, having checked the recommendations of medical experts, established at least four reasons why drinking antibiotics at the first sign of a possible coronavirus infection is not only useless, but even deadly.

1. Antibiotics do not cure COVID-19

COVID-19 is a viral infection. Antibiotics do not work against viruses COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions.

The Correct Antibiotic Saga. Popular science lecture by Alexey Vodovozov the name of antibiotics is antimicrobial drugs.

Alexey Vodovozov toxicologist, general practitioner of the highest qualification category, in a YouTube lecture on ScienceVideoLab channel

This means that such drugs are capable of destroying only a microbial, bacterial infection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is completely indifferent to antibiotics: even if you decide to drink 10 names of such drugs at once, it will multiply and feel great. This cannot be said about you, but more on that later.

Another question is that in some patients, bacterial complications, such as bacterial pneumonia, can join the viral COVID-19. But this does not always happen.

According to statistics, only about 7% of Co-infections in people with COVID-19 have a concomitant bacterial infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of COVID-19 patients.

In addition, microbial-induced pneumonia is difficult to miss because of its characteristic features:

• a distinct worsening of the condition after you seem to be feeling better;
• a sharp rise in temperature - often over 39 ° C;
• severe obsessive cough, often with phlegm;
• easy shortness of breath;
• cardiopalmus.

If you have these symptoms, consult a physician as soon as possible. The doctor will clarify the diagnosis (a good specialist will do this after you undergo X-ray and blood tests) and prescribe the necessary medications. With confirmed bacterial pneumonia - antibiotics as well.

Summary: bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Viral COVID-19 is not.

2. "Antibiotic prophylaxis" complicates treatment

The fact is that bacteria mutate very quickly - they "get used" to antimicrobial agents, develop Spatiotemporal microbial evolution on antibiotic landscapes to them resistance (antibiotic resistance). This is how superinfections appear.

If you took this or that antibiotic “for prophylaxis”, without indications, there is a high risk that when a bacterial infection is attached, the microbes will not react to the familiar drug. This means that the usual inexpensive tablets or suspensions will not help you.

To cure "superinfectious" bacterial pneumonia, you will have to drink or even inject into a vein completely different drugs - more expensive and powerful, with more side effects and in greater quantities. But even this does not guarantee success.

73% of deaths were recorded at later hospitalizations, and the reasons Denis Protsenko first presented a full analysis of mortality in the majority coronavirus - superinfection, which led to sepsis.

Denis Protsenko, head physician of hospital No. 40 in Kommunarka, on the main cause of death of patients with coronavirus, commentary for the publication "Moskovsky Komsomolets"

Summary: The majority of patients with coronavirus are killed not by COVID-19 itself, but by superbugs grown on uncontrolled intake of antibiotics.

3. A massive antibiotic craze could lead to many deaths in the future

For years, the WHO has named antibiotic resistance antibiotic resistance as one of the most serious threats to human health.

The reason is simple: uncontrolled, massive use of antibiotics leads to the fact that more and more dangerous bacteria become antibiotic-resistant. That is, the existing antimicrobial agents cease to work on them. And new, effective antibiotics are not so easy to create - it takes years.

One day, people may find that drugs have become a "dummy", and some recently curable bacterial infections are no longer amenable to therapy.

Russia is also concerned about this issue. For example, the government will consider Bill No. 850485-7. On the biological safety of the Russian Federation “On the biological safety of the Russian Federation”, which classifies the spread of drug resistance as one of the main biological threats. In this regard, it is proposed, in particular, to tighten the rules for the sale of antibiotics in order to reduce their availability and turnover. But whether the proposal will come into force and when it will happen is not yet clear.

Summary: if you do not start to control the intake of antibiotics, very soon even sore throat or cystitis can become deadly diseases.

4. Antibiotics Have Serious Side Effects

This information is for those who are not ready to think about the future and believe that right now it is better to stop and still take antibiotics "for prevention." Warning: Antimicrobial drugs have a variety of side effects. Which are intensified if you use not one, but several antibiotics, and do it while taking other COVID-19 drugs: reminder of the risk of serious side effects with chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19.

Common side effects include Side Effects of Antibiotics: What They Are and How to Manage Them:

• various stomach upsets, including long-term;
• drug fever. This is the name for the rise in temperature caused by taking antibiotics;
• allergic reactions. Skin rashes (hives), coughs, wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling of the throat are just some of the possible examples;
• violations of the composition of the blood. This may be a decrease in the number of leukocytes (leukopenia), which will lead to a sharp decrease in immunity. Or, for example, a decrease in the level of platelets (thrombocytopenia) with consequences in the form of poor blood clotting, bleeding and an abundance of bruises throughout the body;
• heart problems. In particular, hypotension and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat);
• inflammation of the tendons (tendonitis);
• neurotoxic reactions. Several antibiotics, including Neurotoxic effects associated with antibiotic use: management considerations, such as those used in COVID-19 therapy, can damage the nervous system. Seizures, weakness, headaches and dizziness, imbalance, hallucinations, anxiety up to the development of anxiety disorders are just a few of these consequences. These effects sometimes last for months and even lead to loss of performance Side effects - Antibiotics.

Summary: If you plan to take an antibiotic, be sure to check the list of contraindications and side effects. And we repeat once again: in no case start taking it without symptoms of a bacterial infection and direct instructions from your doctor.

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