Antibiotics: Do You Really Need It?

Microorganisms: Fungi vs Viruses vs Bacteria

Not all infections are due to bacteria. Ringworm is in fact a fungal infection and COVID-19 is of course a viral infection. Antibiotics do not help with  these problems.

Fungi live in the soil or are parasitic on plants and animals. Common fungal infections included Dandruff, Athlete’s foot, Ringworm, Vagina thrush etc. Most fungal infections are not life-threatening and can be treated with antifungals.^1,2

Viruses are the smallest and simplest of microorganisms that grow and multiply only inside living host cells. When the virus reproduces faster than the immune system can control, it will cause damage to the host.^3,4 Antiviral medications are usually prescribed to treat chronic or life-threatening viral infections such as Influenza, Herpes, HIV, Hepatitis etc.5 Most of the mild viral infections such as common colds, coughs and sore throats clear up without the need for antiviral medication and get better with time and rest.⁶

Bacteria are single but complex cells, they can survive on their own and can be found everywhere. Bacteria are vital to our health. They play an essential role in our digestive and immune systems, there’s only a small number of species that will cause diseases.⁷ Common bacteria infections included Strep throat, Ear infection, Urinary tract infection etc. Our immune system can usually remove these harmful bacteria and fend off infections. However, when the number of harmful bacteria is excessive and our immune system fails to clear them all, antibiotics can be used. Different antibiotics work differently, the choice of antibiotics will depend on the species of bacteria that are causing the infection. Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections, they do not work against viral infections.

Most Upper tract infections (ie Common cold and flu) are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not work against these viruses.⁸ The use of antibiotics will not improve the symptoms but do more harm than good. Bacteria can start to build up their defenses and adapt to the antibiotic used, known as antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance has grown to be one of the biggest threats to global health. This makes infections harder to treat, and the issue is driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics.