Doctors warn of bad practices after government decision on antibiotics

Russians like to take antibiotics during a viral illness, but this should not be done, Andrey Kondrakhin, a therapist, candidate of medical sciences, senior lecturer in the pharmacology department of the Institute of Pharmacy and Medical Chemistry of the N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, told RBC. This is how he commented on the exclusion of antibiotics and hormonal drugs from the standard treatment for ARVI, which was carried out by the Ministry of Health.

"Antibiotics are not needed at all for viral infections. And our tradition of hiding behind antibiotics for viral infections is a very vicious story," Kondrakhin noted.

He added that the use of antibiotics during viral diseases leads to disruptions in the immune system, biocenosis, and the functioning of internal organs, in particular the intestines, which have their own microflora.

“A person suffers from a viral condition, and then he develops dysbacteriosis, which also contributes to the disease: when immunity drops and antibiotics disrupt it even more,” Kondrakhin clarified.

Therapist Sevinch Aliyeva added that everything is clearly spelled out in the order of the Ministry of Health. "Previously, it was the case that doctors treated viral infections with antibacterial drugs, but this is wrong. Everything that is indicated in the order is convenient and the DOCTOR uses in his practice. Everything is clearly spelled out," Aliyeva said.

As an example, the doctor told about a patient who on the first day was suffering from acute respiratory viral infection - hecough and fever, as well as any chronic diseases - asthma or diabetes. "We must do something with this person: special diagnostics, a number of manipulations and studies and consultations with related specialists. <...> This is a big plus of this order," Aliyeva concluded.

On April 25, the Ministry of Health approved a new standard of care for adult patients with acute respiratory viral infections. Antibiotics and synthetic hormones - corticosteroids - disappeared from it.

About half (49.1%) of Russians who took antibiotics over the past year self-medicated, and three out of four (72.5%) did it incorrectly: either did it without a doctor’s prescription, trying to treat acute respiratory viral infections, flu, covid-19 , cough, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, or interrupted the course ahead of time.