Question

Viral infections are common problems in humans (colds and flu). How should these diseases be treated? Patients are going to request (or demand) antibiotics. As a nurse, how should you respond to these patients? What is the danger of prescribing unwarranted antibiotics just to placate patients?

Answer 1

Viral infections are very Common in human. Viral infections has to be treated symptomatically. Eg. For fever or myalgia, NSAIDs or antipyretics can be administered. Decongestant for cough. For running nose, antihistamines can be prescribed. Taking home remedies like salt water gargles oxidizes virus present in the throat, steam inhalation, saline nasal drop for nasal congestion. Keep yourself warm and adjust the roomtemperature. Drink plentyof water and adequate rest and sleep to boost the immunity is very well needed to treat viral infections. The illness like cold, run its course and then the symptoms will reduce after few days

On demad, patients are treated with antibiotics. As a nurse educate them regarding the danger of overuse of antibiotics. Educate patient that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections. It treats only bacterial infections. It can be prescribed, if any secondary bacterial infection persist in the patient.

The danger of use of unwarranted antibiotics are it will create resistance to certain bacteria. Once an antibiotic resistance develops, it no longer acts on certain bacteria. Bacterial resistance causes severe infections, complications and poor rate of cure.