Ask Dr Jyoti Sood your questions about when antibiotics are needed and the threat of antibiotic resistance to your family - chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[EllieMumsnet]

Antibiotics have helped millions of people and are essential to treat serious bacterial infections. However they are frequently being used to treat illnesses; such as coughs, earache and sore throats, which can get better by themselves. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem and one which can put you and your family at risk of developing infections which can’t be easily treated with antibiotics. Public Health England has launched a new campaign called ‘Keep Antibiotics Working’, to warn about the dangers of taking antibiotics unnecessarily and urges people to take their doctor’s advice on antibiotics.

Dr Jyoti Sood is here to answer your questions about what antibiotics are used for, the threat antibiotic resistance poses for you and your family and general tips to keep your family well this winter. Whether you have questions about what illnesses can be treated with antibiotics, what antibiotic resistance is, what it means for you and your family and some self-care advice to help you to get better if you are feeling unwell but are not being treated with antibiotics, Dr Jyoti is here to help.

Dr Jyoti Sood has this to say: “As a GP I’m often asked to prescribe antibiotics by patients who think that they will cure all their ills. The reality is that antibiotics are not always needed because they are ineffective in treating viruses or, in the case of illnesses such as coughs, earache and sore throats, people can get better by themselves. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and your family at risk of developing infections which in turn cannot be easily treated with antibiotics. The best advice is to always take your doctor’s advice and remember that your pharmacist can recommend medicines to help with your symptoms or pain.”

Please post your questions on the thread below and we’ll choose 20 for Dr Jyoti to answer and then post a link to the responses as soon as possible. Everyone who posts their questions will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list)

Here is some information about Dr Sood:
Dr Jyoti works as a GP in Redbridge, in a large urban practice. She trained in local hospitals and has been in the same practice for last 14 years.
She has a specialist interest in diabetes and dermatology and provides clinical support to these areas.
Dr Jyoti is the cancer and diabetes lead for Redbridge and has previously participated in public health campaign to promote awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&C’s apply

[madeyemoodysmum]

I'm not the doctor but have those of you asking about UTI tried d mannose
It's amazing.

In the past I've used garlic sliver wrapped in tissue in the ear to cure ear ache. Leave it in a few days. Pain gone. Worked for me and my dd.

[ClaireJ89]

what is the best way to prevent a cough from becoming something more sinister that may require antibiotics?

[Miaow1234]

Should health, minor illness and antibiotic use be taught to older children in schools? It seems so many parents grab the calpol at any sign of a fever when it isn’t always needed and often demand antibiotics for viral infections that children need to be taught about this to break the cycle.

[Hatethewordhun]

How do GP's know if something is viral or bacterial, and thus requires antibiotics?

[neonpink]

what do you think about GPs prescribing antibiotics for viral illnesses to get patients off their backs? (I've heard one did this for someone I know!!).

Also what do you think of natural antibiotic foods e.g. garlic, honey etc - do you encourage patients to use them? are you allowed?

[Cheekyandfreaky]

Are there foods which should be avoided i.e. types of meat due to antibiotics being consumed due to them entering the food chain?

[Cheekyandfreaky]

How can unused antibiotics be disposed of safely?

[Cheekyandfreaky]

If I had to take certain antibiotics whilst pregnant, would that have built resistance in my unborn child?

[Cheekyandfreaky]

Why would this be a problem in the first place- surely docs should be trained to assertively refuse to prescribe antibiotics where they see no point?

[Cheekyandfreaky]

Sorry I realise a lot from me but it does confuse and interest me in equal measures lol.

[FreeNiki]

If ever there was any proof antibiotics dont work on colds: I had a serious dental infection and was prescribed two antibiotics together, high doses, 3 times a day for a week. And I caught a heavy cold whilst on antibiotics. So clearly they dont work if I got a cold while taking them.

I am prone to bad coughs as I used to have asthma. I usually just persevere at home. What are the signs a cough needs to be checked by a doctor?

[Sleepysausage]

Is there anything we can take/ eat/do as an alternative to antibiotics in mild infections?

[IceBearRocks]

I have a disabled DS with a rare gene mutation and he gets very ill often. They are discussing using long term antibiotics. I'm so concerned as he must have at least 10 doses of oral antibiotics a year and 3 via IV.
Why are we not worried about long term heath conditions and antibiotics?

[MakeTeaNotWar]

I am allergic to penicillin - is it likely that my children are also allergic? Do I need to tell the doctor - can it still be prescribed to them?

[Zebee]

My problem is that sometimes the children have been ill for a while and they need a check up as I am not a HCP I leave the GPs feeling like I was asking for illegal drugs rather than just making sure it isn’t anything more serious. So when should the be checked out if they have been having paracetamol and ibuprofen for a few days.

[Enigma222]

Antibiotics are essential when needed at the right time to treat a illness but are there any other remedies that are as good (herbal treatments)?

[dannydog1]

How do doctors decide what needs antibiotics, do they worry about not giving them and then a patient getting really ill?

[holidayparkquestion]

Which is your favourite- Dr Ranj or the Chris and Xand?

[ringle]

"they are ineffective in treating viruses or, in the case of illnesses such as coughs, earache and sore throats, people can get better by themselves. "
This is hard to follow.
I understand that antibiotics have no effect on viruses.
I think you are saying that bacterial infections involving coughs, earache and sore throats are responsive to antibiotics but would usually resolve anyway, is that right?

"Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and your family at risk of developing infections which in turn cannot be easily treated with antibiotics."
Why? By what pathway? Is the reference to "you and your family" code for "the general population?"

There is a lot of vagueness in these public health messages.Is this deliberate?

[Babycarmen]

I’m currently on antibiotics for a bad throat infection (merry Christmas!!) does this mean I can’t drink alcohol on Christmas Day?

[grannybiker]

As Granny is on chemo, she seems to be prescribed antibiotics at the drop of a hat. Is there any danger her body will become so used to them they'll eventually become ineffective?
Also worry about the children passing something on as we see them at least couple of times a week. Obviously if they're showing signs of being ill, we keep away, but we know children are often infectious long before anything becomes obvious....

[madeyemoodysmum]

Mumsnet When will the doctors answers be on here please?

[danigrace]

Is it true that if snot/mucus has been bright green for a certain amount of time you should have antibiotics?

[Oldraver]

Are doctors now taking responsibiilty for over prescribing ?

We often hear how AB's aren't suitable for coughs cold etc but how on earth do patients get AB's when it's GP's prescribing ? They are the gatekeepers of medicines..are they bowing to pressure or just being lazy ?

As a family, we my OH who is allergic to Penicillin, though fortunetly has not had any need of them for 50 years. Myself had AB's this year for Mastitus, the first lot for 14 years. My DC's (31, 11) have never had any. I realise we are lucky to not of needed any, do worry about the possibilty of future resistant bugs

[purplepandas]

How are we supposed to know when we should ask for anti-bs? I err on the side of not of course but sometimes I am aware they are needed.