Diarrhea and Antibiotics: Diarrhea is a digestive problem, due to which people start having problems like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramps. Due to diarrhea, people start deficient in water and their condition worsens. Generally diarrhea can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, stomach upset and consumption of contaminated food. In most cases, diarrhea is viral, while in some cases it is caused by bacterial infection. Doctors treat the patient according to his condition and give antibiotics if necessary.

Dr. Anil Bansal, former President and Senior Physician of Delhi Medical Association told News18 There are mainly two types of diarrhea. One is viral diarrhea and the other is bacterial diarrhea. In case of viral diarrhea, patients are given probiotics and some medicines, so that they can get relief. Apart from this, it is advised to consume ORS to compensate for the lack of water in the body. Usually this diarrhea gets cured in 2-3 days and it does not require antibiotics. When diarrhea is not cured by normal treatment, then stool and blood tests are done in that condition. If bacterial infection is detected, then antibiotics are given.

Doctor Bansal told that if a person has bacterial diarrhea, then he is advised to take antibiotics for 5 or 7 days. Due to this, the bacteria causing trouble in our intestines die and people get relief. Antibiotics are not given in viral diarrhea because these medicines also kill the good bacteria present in our intestines, which worsens the gut health. Apart from this, taking antibiotics without need also increases the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, people should not take antibiotics on their own free will.

Now the question arises that how can we tell the difference between viral and bacterial diarrhea? On this the doctor told that viral diarrhea can be cured in a few days with proper prebiotic, ORS and medicines. Whereas bacterial diarrhea is not cured and people suffer for many days. In such conditions, doctors advise taking antibiotics. Not every diarrhea patient needs antibiotics. If you have this kind of problem, consult a qualified doctor and get treatment. Doing treatment at home on your own can be dangerous.