IMA On Antibiotics: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Friday (March 3) issued an advisory urging people to avoid taking antibiotics like azithromycin and amoxiclav. IMA National President Dr. Sharad Kumar Aggarwal and other members said in advisory that taking antibiotics when they are not required leads to antibiotic resistance.
Doctors said that whenever there was a need to use antibiotics, they would not work because of resistance. He said that recently there has been a sudden increase in the number of patients with symptoms of cough, vomiting, sore throat, fever, body ache and diarrhoea. The infection usually lasts for about 5 to 7 days. The fever goes away in three days. Cough can persist for three weeks. According to the information received from NCDC, most of these cases are of H3N2 virus.
It is common to have seasonal cold or cough
The association says that it is common to have seasonal cold or cough during October to February due to influenza and other viruses. Many other antibiotics are being misused for certain conditions and are developing resistance among patients. For example, 70% of diarrhea cases are viral, which do not require antibiotics, but antibiotics are being prescribed by doctors.
Increased cases of cough and fever due to H3N2
On Saturday, experts of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that the cause of persistent cough in India for the last two-three months and cough with fever in some cases is ‘H3N2’ subtype of ‘Influenza A’.
ICMR scientists also said that H3N2, which has been widespread for the last two-three months, is a major reason for hospitalization of patients as compared to other subtypes. ICMR through its ‘Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories Network’ is keeping a close watch on diseases caused by respiratory viruses.
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