Health: Don’t bug doctors for antibiotics

As with any cold, pain relief from the pharmacist, plenty of fluids and proper recuperation are the only cure

A virulent cold virus complete with hacking cough may be sweeping Rochdale, but patients should not go running to their GP for antibiotics.

That is the view of Nye Bevan House based family Doctor Zahid Chauhan, who believes that an endless stream of people pleading for treatments such as amoxicillin, is clogging-up appointment times, not assisting patients to get well and even helping to spread the virus.

Antibiotics should only be prescribed to combat infections. They have become so overused that antibiotic resistance has been described as the biggest health problem facing Europe.

Dr Chauhan thinks that unnecessary pressure caused by bosses to get employees back to work too quickly, has meant that people see them as a “quick cure all” when sometimes rest is the only remedy.

“I have enormous sympathy for anyone who is not feeling well and this particular cold virus can result in the patient having a long-lasting and pretty unpleasant cough” said Dr Chauhan, who is senior partner at the Dale Medical Practice. “As with any cold, pain relief from the pharmacist, plenty of fluids and proper recuperation are the only cure. By visiting your doctor, you are potentially spreading your cold and possibly putting back your recovery time.”

Cuts to social care and insufficient health spending has already led to a much reported crisis in hospital care and the struggle to meet demand is also evident at doctor’s surgeries.

According to a recent report by Pulse (1), the average wait to get a GP appointment is now 13 days, which means time spent with patients not needing help is having a massive impact.

A visit to the chemist can be of more benefit when you have a cold as they can provide over-the-counter sore throat and headache relief. If they believe your symptoms are more serious – particularly if you have a condition such as COPD or asthma – they may then recommend a visit to the doctor. Flu differs from cold in that it is often accompanied by aching limbs and fever, for which medical attention should be sort immediately.

“Antibiotics are wonder drugs that have made such a difference to world health, but infections are devilish things that are mutating and becoming resistant to treatment” continued Dr Chauhan.

“GPs and other prescribing medics are being encouraged NOT to dish out antibiotics willy-nilly and I would ask patients to stop putting pressure on their doctor to give them antibiotics. I would also ask bosses to ease off on employees and not put them under such strain to return to work when they are still ill. All that does is leads to potential long-term illness and more of your workforce getting sick.”

For sound advice on combating a cold, including prevention and treatment, visit:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cold-common/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Remember, good hygiene such as catching a sneeze in a handkerchief and washing hands regularly, helps prevent the spread of colds.