Completely ineffective In the case of a cold, antibiotics are used quickly

Despite the risk of resistance: antibiotics for colds
A cold usually goes without major problems and usually heals within a few days when you rest and use the right remedies. However, many patients are prescribed antibiotics for colds, although such drugs do not work against viruses.

Four out of ten employees on sick leave due to cold
Colds, coughs, headaches: Colds often put people in Germany flat. According to the current health report of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), statistically speaking, in 2015 almost four out of ten employees insured with the TK were on sick leave due to a cold by their doctor.

Many patients who have a cold take antibiotics. But such preparations only work against bacteria, not against viruses. (Image: Syda Productions / fotolia.com)

Antibiotics do not work against viruses
In order to relieve the typical symptoms such as hoarseness, runny nose or sore throat, drugs are often used quickly. According to the report, one in five (20.5 percent), who is on sick leave for one to three days for a cold, is prescribed antibiotics. Four years earlier, in 2011, it was almost one in three (28.8 percent). But antibiotics only work against bacteria, but not against viruses.

Treat colds yourself
A flu infection, the "simple" cold can be caught several times a year. The symptoms start slowly and fade away after a few days. This is a known difference between cold and flu. The latter occurs quite suddenly.

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.

Medication only partially contributes to a faster recovery. And antibiotics make no sense in colds or flu, according to experts, because they do not work against viruses. There is at most one exception if sufferers have caught a bacterial infection in addition to the virus.

Ordinance decline due to discussion about resistance
According to a statement by the TC, the discussion about antibiotic resistance may have caused the slight decline in prescriptions. Targeted use of such preparations is indeed one of the most important and effective means in the fight against bacterial infections, on the other hand, a wrong use leads to exactly the opposite effect. It can form multidrug-resistant pathogens. Resistance is now very widespread.

Nevertheless, antibiotics are often only on suspicion, as several national associations of German health insurance companies (BKK) reported in the summer.

The German government has recently announced its German Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (DART 2020). However, patients can also do a great deal to protect themselves and prevent multidrug-resistant pathogens from spreading further.

Hardy Müller of the Scientific Institute of the TK (WINEG) explained: "In hospitals, for example, the most effective method of prevention is consistent hand disinfection." (Ad)