Mostly unnecessary Every fourth patient with a cold gets antibiotics

In case of a cold, too often antibiotics are prescribed

Although the number of antibiotic resistances continues to rise and is regularly called upon not to use such drugs in large quantities, about every fourth patient with a cold gets an antibiotic prescribed by the doctor. However, these preparations do not work against the majority of cold infections.

Colds make many patients flat

Colds, coughs, headaches: Colds often put people in Germany flat. According to the current health report of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), about one in four patients, who had been on sick leave due to a cold in 2017, was prescribed an antibiotic by the doctor (24.4 percent). And although such drugs often do not work in case of a flu infection, the "simple" cold.

About every fourth patient who had been on sick leave for a cold last year was prescribed an antibiotic by the doctor. And although such drugs remain ineffective for the majority of infections. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

Lower unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions further

As the TK writes in a communication, the antibiotic prescriptions continue to fall due to colds.

According to the information received in 2010 still 38.5 percent of the cold-related sick wrote an antibiotic prescription.

Employees who were only on sick leave for a short time - one to three days - were given an antibiotics prescription even less frequently:

Around 18 percent of this group received a prescription for an antibiotic in 2017, compared with around 30 percent in 2010.

"The numbers show a trend that goes in the right direction. The clear goal, however, is to further reduce unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotics, "says Tim Steimle, a licensed pharmacist and head of the TK's Department of Pharmaceuticals.

Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses

Because: "The vast majority of cold infections with symptoms such as cold or cough are caused by viruses. But antibiotics only help against bacteria - they are ineffective against viruses. "

For self-treatment of flu and colds, it is important, among other things, to drink a lot and to rest. In addition, there are many home remedies that help against colds.

According to health experts, drugs only partially contribute to a faster recovery.

Risk for multidrug-resistant pathogens increases

As the TK writes, education is still important in the topic, so that antibiotics are only prescribed if they are medically really necessary.

"Antibiotics should not be taken lightly. Like any drug, they also have side effects, "explains Steimle. In addition, an increased prescription of antibiotics increases the risk of bacteria becoming resistant.

"Properly used, antibiotics are one of the most important remedies in the fight against bacterial infections. The other side of the coin, however, is that multidrug-resistant pathogens form, against which antibiotics are no longer effective. "(Ad)