The more antibiotics you take, higher the chance that you will be infected with resistant bacteria. The resistant bacteria cannot be treated with normal antibiotics. Some of them need more powerful medicines and a few of them become untreatable. Antibiotics should be used only when it has been medically determined that they might be effective. A cold takes one week to be cured with medicines and seven days to cure itself ' is an old saying.
Viral infections can sometimes lead to bacterial infections.
But treating viral infections with antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections does not work. Yet another very important aspect to be kept in mind is that if an antibiotic is prescribed, ensure that you take the entire course. Always finish a course of antibiotics even if you are feeling better. Never save antibiotics for later use. Never use the antibiotics prescribed for one illness in any other case and never practice self-medication.