Stop Antibiotic Overuse This Winter: Expert Warns Against Viral Misuse

• Many overuse antibiotics in winter for quick relief, mistakenly believing they cure all infections.
• Most winter illnesses are viral, not bacterial, and antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, states Dr. Nimitt Nagda, Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai.
• Overuse leads to antibiotic resistance, making future infections harder to treat, and causes side effects like stomach upset and gut damage.
• Reasons for overuse include self-medication, using leftover drugs, patient pressure on doctors, and taking them 'just in case'.
• To stop overuse: consult doctors, avoid self-medication, don't share medicines, and understand antibiotics aren't for colds/flu.

Why It Matters: Use antibiotics wisely; they are ineffective against viral infections and overuse causes resistance and side effects.