Taking antibiotics for the wrong reason, such as against colds or flu, has no benefit for you. This is because:
- you probably have a viral infection
- Antibiotics don't work against colds or flu
- Your infection should start to clear up in a few days
If you have a cold, or flu-like symptoms, then you should:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Get some rest
- Take paracetamol
More information can be found on these websites/leaflets: www.patient.co.uk
This information is also available in other languages and can be accessed on the Leeds Health and Care Partnership.
Antibiotic Resistance
The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers antibiotic resistance to be one of the biggest threats to health around the world. Like the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic resistance is a global health emergency.
More information can be found by clicking on this link: Antibiotic Resistance - Seriously