A dangerous habit has taken hold: many people now buy and consume antibiotics from pharmacies for a minor cough, cold or fever without consulting a doctor. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue on his Mann Ki Baat broadcast and urged citizens not to use antibiotics without expert advice. A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) cited in the discussion found that unnecessary use of these drugs is driving up antibiotic resistance across the country.
Dr. Manbendra Nayak, a medicine specialist at Apollo Hospital, warns that repeated, indiscriminate use of antibiotics trains the bacteria in our bodies to withstand them. That means antibiotics that now work for serious infections may fail when they are truly needed. He noted that many people take drugs such as azithromycin for viral illnesses like colds and sore throats, even though antibiotics only act against bacterial infections. Despite regulations, selling antibiotics without a prescription has become common.
The consequences are already visible: medicines once effective against conditions ranging from urinary tract infections to pneumonia are losing potency. The World Health Organization has called antibiotic resistance a “silent pandemic,” and experts warn that if current practices continue, even simple infections may become untreatable. It is important to remember that antibiotics are intended for specific bacterial diseases such as pneumonia, typhoid, tuberculosis and certain urinary infections.
Patients should take antibiotics only on a doctor’s prescription and complete the full course as directed. Before starting treatment, people should check liver and kidney function when appropriate, since incorrect use can cause side effects including diarrhea, skin rashes, acidity and, in severe cases, kidney damage. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should avoid antibiotics unless prescribed by a physician.
To protect yourself and the wider community, stop self-prescribing antibiotics. First determine the nature of the infection through proper medical assessment, then follow the doctor’s prescription exactly. Medicines are not always the answer, and taking antibiotics without guidance can do more harm than good.
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/be-careful-taking-antibiotics-without-a-doctors-advice-may-put-you-in-danger/
Category: Popular Stories,জীৱনশৈলী,শীর্ষ সংবাদ,স্বাস্থ্য
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Publish Date: 2026-02-16 06:45:00
