2 weeks ago

Doctors warn antibiotics don't treat monsoon fever, misuse fuels resistance

Every year during the rainy season, lots of people get fevers, colds, and coughs.

Rainy weather helps viruses and germs spread, and puddles of water let mosquitoes grow.

Mosquitoes can spread sicknesses like dengue and chikungunya.

Most of these sicknesses go away by themselves in about a week or two.

Some people take antibiotics when they have a fever, but doctors say that is not a good idea.

Antibiotics only fight bacteria, not the viruses that cause most monsoon fevers.

Taking them when you do not need them can make germs learn to fight the medicine.

That is called antibiotic resistance, and it makes real infections harder to treat later.

Doctors say it is better to rest, drink fluids, and see a doctor if the fever lasts more than two or three days.

If you have trouble breathing, bad belly pain, or feel very confused, you should get help right away.

Key facts

Common symptoms: Fever, cold, cough, and extreme fatigue
Typical duration: Viral fevers clear naturally in 3-5 days; most monsoon illnesses resolve within 1-2 weeks
Diseases with similar symptoms: Influenza, dengue, malaria, typhoid, leptospirosis, and scrub typhus
When to get tested: If high fever persists 48-72 hours; tests include CBC and Dengue NS1 antigen
Red flag symptoms: Breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, bleeding, severe abdominal pain, confusion, poor oral intake, reduced urine output, severe muscle pains
Key antibiotics warning: Antibiotics should be taken only when prescribed for a clear bacterial infection
Health agency cited: WHO identifies antibiotic misuse as a main cause of antimicrobial resistance

NDTV · 2 weeks ago