Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 17: The rainy season often brings a familiar medical routine — someone develops a fever, someone recommends an antibiotic and within hours a strip of tablets appears on the kitchen counter. Doctors, however, warn that this seemingly harmless practice can backfire.

Monsoon fevers can be caused by several infections, including dengue, chikungunya, malaria, typhoid, influenza and leptospirosis. Antibiotics, however, do not work against all of these infections. Taking them when they are not required can also contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Dr Prerna Goyal, Senior Consultant - Physician at RG Hospitals, Ludhiana, said monsoon brings a predictable rise in different types of fever, but many people automatically turn to antibiotics.

“Most monsoon fevers are viral. Dengue and chikungunya, for example, are mosquito-borne viral infections. Antibiotics act against bacteria, not viruses. So taking an antibiotic for dengue or chikungunya does nothing to treat the virus causing the illness,” she said.

Self-medication with antibiotics is common during the monsoon, Dr Goyal said. Some patients reach doctors after taking antibiotics on their own for a week. In such cases, doctors have to deal not only with the original illness but also with the effects of medicines that may not have been necessary.

Dengue and chikungunya are mosquito-borne viral infections and do not have a bacterial component that antibiotics can target. Therefore, a person who develops fever along with symptoms such as a rash or joint pain should not automatically take an antibiotic.

Such symptoms may require appropriate testing for dengue or chikungunya. Doctors say identifying the cause of the fever should come before deciding on treatment.

Not every monsoon fever is viral. Some infections, including typhoid, are bacterial and may require antibiotics. However, this does not mean that patients should select an antibiotic from their medicine cabinet.

Dr Goyal pointed out that prescribing the wrong antibiotic, or starting the right antibiotic too early before a proper diagnosis, can mask symptoms, make accurate testing more difficult and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Even when an antibiotic is eventually required, guessing which medicine to take is not the same as treating the infection correctly.

Dr Niraj Kumar, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, ShardaCare - HealthCity, said many people believe antibiotics will make a monsoon fever disappear faster.

“When the fever is caused by a virus, an antibiotic does not help. Unnecessary medicines can also cause side effects and contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This happens when bacteria gradually become resistant to medicines designed to kill them or stop their growth,” he said.

Antimicrobial resistance can make infections that were once relatively easy to treat much harder to manage in the future.

Doctors advise that the first response to a fever should not necessarily be reaching for an antibiotic. Patients should observe their symptoms, rest, stay properly hydrated and monitor their condition, particularly when a viral illness is suspected.

Dr Goyal recommends medical evaluation if fever persists for more than two to three days, with blood tests considered before medication is started when appropriate.

Fever accompanied by a rash or significant joint pain may require testing for dengue or chikungunya. Other symptoms and the patient's medical history can help doctors identify other possible causes.

Dr Kumar also advises people to seek medical attention promptly if fever persists or warning symptoms develop. Any fever lasting more than 48 to 72 hours, particularly if it is not improving or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, warrants medical evaluation.

Doctors emphasise that the biggest mistake is assuming every fever is the same. Fever is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and it can be caused by viruses, bacteria or other conditions.

The appropriate treatment therefore depends on the cause. Before taking an antibiotic because someone says it worked for them during the previous monsoon, doctors advise patients to get the illness properly assessed and take antibiotics only when prescribed or recommended by a qualified medical professional.