Monsoon Illnesses: Doctors Caution Against Unnecessary Antibiotic Use

Summary:
Doctors are advising people to avoid self-medicating with antibiotics during the rise in monsoon illnesses, noting that fever can have several causes and does not automatically indicate a bacterial infection. Unnecessary antibiotic use can lead to side effects and antimicrobial resistance, while treatment should be based on medical evaluation and appropriate tests. Doctors also recommend prompt medical attention for persistent or worsening symptoms and emphasise responsible antibiotic use, supportive care and regular reassessment when antibiotics are not required. 

Amid a rise in monsoon-related illnesses, doctors have urged people to avoid taking antibiotics without medical advice, stressing that fever is a symptom and not a diagnosis. Fever can result from conditions such as viral infections, dengue, malaria and typhoid, making proper clinical evaluation and appropriate testing important before deciding on treatment.

Doctors noted that antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but do not treat viral illnesses. Unnecessary or incorrect use can cause side effects and contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making infections more difficult to treat in the future.

Dr Neeraj Nischal of AIIMS, Delhi, said symptoms such as fever, body ache, headache, weakness and gastrointestinal problems can occur in several illnesses, making self-diagnosis risky. He advised patients not to use leftover antibiotics or medicines prescribed for others and cautioned against changing the dose, duration or frequency of antibiotics without medical guidance.

Dr Mayank Uppal of Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research said antibiotic resistance is already creating challenges in clinical practice. However, he stressed that antibiotics should not be avoided when genuinely necessary, but should instead be prescribed to the appropriate patient at the correct dose and for the required duration.

The ICMR guidelines on antimicrobial use also recommend responsible antibiotic selection and caution against unnecessary empirical treatment when bacterial infection has not been established. Doctors advised people with persistent or worsening fever, breathing difficulties, altered consciousness, severe dehydration, continuous vomiting, bleeding or significant weakness to seek medical attention promptly.

Doctors also highlighted the need for earlier assessment of older adults, young children, people with existing illnesses and those with weakened immunity. They cautioned that prolonged or intense fever does not automatically mean a stronger antibiotic is needed, as many viral infections can improve with supportive care and adequate hydration.

Doctors further advised that diagnostic test results should always be interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms and clinical examination. Preventing antimicrobial resistance, they said, requires both responsible prescribing by healthcare professionals and greater awareness among patients, with careful observation, supportive care and reassessment often being appropriate when antibiotics are not required.