Why Self-Treating with Antibiotics Kits Can Be Risky
Why Self-Treating with Antibiotics Kits Can Be Risky
When someone in your family gets sick or injured, being prepared matters. You never know when someone is going to come home with the sniffles or a skinned knee, so having a stocked medicine cabinet with pain relievers, fever reducers, and bandages can help you address health-related curveballs. But recently, at-home antibiotic kits have become popular—giving people access to medications without seeing a health care provider. While this might sound convenient, these kits raise concerns about antibiotic safety.
What Antibiotics Treat (And What They Don’t)
Antibiotics are medications designed to fight and treat bacterial infections, such as:
- Strep throat
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Staph infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Pink eye
- Cellulitis
Antibiotics kill the bacteria and prevent them from multiplying, which can prevent serious illness and even save lives.
But there’s a catch: antibiotics don’t work on viruses. If you have the flu, COVID-19, or a common cold, they won’t help you recover faster.
“I know nobody has time to be sick, but viral illnesses are best treated with supportive care and time,” says Paula Bradley, PA-C, associate medical director for urgent care and virtual urgent care at University of Utah Health. “People want to get better faster, but antibiotics aren’t going to be the answer for that.”
The Risks of Antibiotic Overuse
Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them—or taking the wrong one—can lead to antibiotic resistance. This happens when the bacteria evolves so that the medication cannot kill them. If antibiotics become less effective, bacterial infections become harder to treat and can lead to potentially serious outcomes.
Overusing antibiotics can also cause unpleasant or dangerous side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
- Kidney or liver damage
- C. diff, an infectious diarrhea
- Allergic reactions
- Medication interactions
- Worsening of an illness
- Delay of diagnosis of a serious condition
Why Antibiotic Stewardship Matters
Antibiotic stewardship is improving patient outcomes by using antibiotics only when prescribed and when necessary—and it works.
A recent study, led by University of Utah Health and Intermountain Health, found that antibiotic stewardship significantly reduces the number of antibiotics prescribed in Utah each year, especially in urgent care settings.
“The antibiotic stewardship program at the University of Utah has been in place for over a decade,” Bradley says. “We educate providers and patients about when antibiotic use is indicated and provide tools and resources to minimize inappropriate antibiotic use.”
If you’re under the weather this winter and are tempted to take an antibiotic without a prescription, remember the risks. Before you reach for that antibiotic kit, see a health care provider instead.
What to Do When You’re Sick
If you’re sick, don’t attempt to self-treat with an antibiotic kit. Instead, connect with a health care provider to confirm what’s causing your symptoms and get the right treatment.
Urgent care and virtual visits are great options if you’re unsure what’s going on and not experiencing a life-threatening situation.
“At University of Utah Health, we have a lot of availability for in-person urgent care visits, which are great if you’re worried about something like an ear infection or pneumonia,” Bradley says. “If you’re just not sure what to do or you need advice on how to get better, virtual care is a great option. While we can’t do a physical exam or listen to your breathing, many conditions can be treated adequately over a virtual visit. If we’re worried about you after we talk, we’ll advise you to visit a clinic.”
