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As we enter the cold and flu season, it is the perfect time to educate yourself on the difference between viral and bacterial infections and the best treatment options for both.

Since the discovery of penicillin more than 90 years ago, germs have continued to develop new types of resistance against even our most powerful drugs. While antibiotic development has slowed, antibiotic resistance has not. Antibiotics were seen as the answer to every infection, whether viral or bacterial. This led to the overprescribing of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance.

Research has since shown that antibiotics are an effective treatment for bacterial infections only.

Everyone must do their part to combat antibiotic resistance. As this year’s Antibiotic Awareness Week theme states – ‘Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us.’

Here is a quick guide to which infections warrant a prescription for an antibiotic.

• Antibiotics do not treat viruses like those that cause the common cold, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID, or sore throat that is not strep. Antivirals can help treat these conditions if your healthcare provider determines they are an appropriate treatment option. The best treatment is rest, fluids, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve symptoms like fever, pain, cough, or congestion. RSV or COVID may require oxygen therapy.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms from the flu or a respiratory illness, it is important to contact your healthcare provider. Severe symptoms include high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, severe cough or chest pain or pressure.

• Other conditions that can be either viral or bacterial include bronchitis, middle ear infection, and sinus infection. These may or may not respond to antibiotic treatment.
• Finally, strep throat and whooping cough are bacterial infections, and a prescription for an antibiotic would be proper treatment.

When antibiotics are not needed, they won’t help you, and the side effects could cause harm. Side effects range from mild to severe health problems.

By overusing antibiotics, we create antibiotic resistance and superbugs. Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs defeat the drugs developed to kill them. According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year in the United States, at least 2.8 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant germs—at least 35,000 dies.

Antibiotics can save lives when used properly. When a patient needs antibiotics, the benefits outweigh the risks.

The best thing you can do this cold and flu season is take steps to prevent the spread of infection. These include:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed.
• Clean your hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer.
• Sanitize commonly used areas at home and at work.
• Get recommended vaccines, including flu and COVID.

Being antibiotic aware will not only benefit you and your family, but the entire community.