Antibiotics are a class of medication which are given to patients in order to help them combat a bacterial infection. There are two types of antibiotics, one which stops the growth of bacteria and therefore gives chance for the immune system to overcome the infection on its own and the other type kills the bacteria. Influenza and colds are caused by viruses and therefore the administration of antibiotics will not have an effect on the course of the infection.

The wide misuse of antibiotics has resulted in an ever increasing presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This in-turn results in different antibiotics needed to treat the infection which usually are more expensive and also tend to have worse side effects. As antibiotic resistance is becoming more common, researchers are pressured into finding new antibiotics which takes time and money in order to be introduced into the healthcare system.

Even if new antibiotics are being researched, the main threat to an ever-increasing antibiotics resistance is the mentality and usage of antibiotics. If antibiotic resistance is not controlled, common infections and minor injuries which were easily treatable by the current panel of antibiotics will no longer be effective and can potentially lead to death. In order to slow down this resistance it is necessary that we change our behaviour such as taking vaccination, proper hand hygiene, practice safer sex and good food hygiene.

Safe ways for how to actually approach antibiotics while preventing resistance.

1. Take antibiotics only when prescribed to you by a doctor.
2. Do not share or use leftover antibiotics.
3. Always finish the antibiotic course by following your doctor advice.
4. Do not ask for your doctor to prescribe you antibiotics when they are not needed.

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Myth #1: You will catch the flu from the flu vaccine

Truth: The vaccine contains an inactive flu virus and therefore does not have the ability to infect you. If you get sick it is most probably from other viruses which produce similar symptoms to the flu.

Myth #2: The flu is not a serious illness

Catching the flu can lead to serious complications such as: pneumonia , which in severe cases may lead to death . This is quite rare to healthy individuals but there is a higher chance of experiencing these complication in children and elderly and those who are immunocompromised

Myth #3: The flu vaccine will make you immune to colds and there is no need to worry of contracting a cold.

Influenza and colds are produced from different viruses, the influenza vaccine only protects you from Influenza. If you are infected with any of the cold viruses, you will still get symptoms. In any case one needs to be vigilant to prevent getting infected.

Myth #4: The flu vaccine doesn’t work since I still got the flu.

There are multiple strains of influenza viruses and the vaccine only contains 3-4 strains. If the virus has changed along the way, the influenza vaccine will not protect you against the new strain. Also the body takes about two weeks in order to become immune to the strains present in the flu vaccine.

Myth #5: Getting the influenza vaccine every year will weaken the immune system.

Since you are exposing the body to the virus, the immune system will respond to it and in fact it will be stronger since it will better prepared once a live influenza virus has entered the body.

Apart from protecting yourself against the influenza virus, another reason to get it is to indirectly protect people who cannot take the influenza vaccine. It is therefore a selfless act to take the influenza vaccine and help those who are in need.

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