- Ear Infections last up to 4 days
- Sore throats can last up to one week
- Common colds can last 10 days
- Sinusitis lasts up to 3 weeks
- Cough and bronchitis can last 3 weeks
The best treatment for the above is plenty of rest, increased fluids and see your pharmacist for medicines to reduce any temperature and control pain.
Antibiotics are unlikely to help in most of the illnesses listed above, and by not prescribing them we can slow down the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic. They become 'antibiotic resistant' so that the antibiotic no longer works.
- The more we use antibiotics, the greater the chance that bacteria will become resistant to them so that they no longer work. if we all try to reduce their usage, antibiotics will be more likely to work when we really need them.
- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria don't just infect you, they can spread to other people in close contact with you.
- Some antibioutcs can cause allergic reactions such as rashes, being sick if you also drink alcohol and reactions to sunlight - as well as other symptoms.