Pharmacists are regularly facing pressure from patients to prescribe antibiotics for common colds, a new survey reveals.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) polled around 400 pharmacists, finding that nearly 80% refuse requests for antibiotics for minor ailments like colds at least daily. This highlights the persistent misconception that antibiotics are effective against viral infections like the common cold, despite the fact they only combat bacterial infections.
The survey also uncovered concerning trends regarding antibiotic misuse. A quarter of pharmacists reported patients frequently returning partially used courses of antibiotics, a practice that can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, over a third of those surveyed were aware of patients stockpiling antibiotics for future use, another practice that fuels the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. These findings underscore the need for continued public education on the appropriate use of antibiotics and the risks associated with their misuse.
With this in mind, we want to know if you should take antibiotics for a cold – and are there any potential consequences of doing this?
“The common cold is a viral infection that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract and it’s caused by various viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most common,” says Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice. “Colds are highly contagious and can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face.”
Do antibiotics work against viruses like the cold?
“Antibiotics are designed to combat bacterial infections, not viral ones like the common cold,” explains Asif. “Since colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics do not help.
“Using antibiotics for viral infections not only fails to provide relief but can also contribute to side effects, most commonly stomach upset, and antibiotic resistance, making it harder to fight bacterial infections in the future.”
“It’s a really common misconception,” recognises Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical. “People often associate antibiotics with ‘strong’ medicine and assume they’ll help them feel better faster.
“Sometimes there’s pressure to get back to work or school quickly. And because the symptoms can feel quite awful like a sore throat, congestion, and a cough, people just want relief.”