Antibiotics for diarrhea are generally given if your diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection. The use of this drug should not be done haphazardly and must be according to the doctor's instructions. If not used properly, you may experience some side effects.
Diarrhea can be caused by various things, ranging from viral and bacterial infections, lactose intolerance, food allergies, to food poisoning. Diarrhea due to viral infections is most often caused by rotavirus and norovirus, and can go away on its own within a few days.
Meanwhile, diarrhea caused by bacteria can occur when a person consumes food or drink that has been contaminated with bacteriaE. Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter. Doctors will usually give antibiotics to treat this condition.
Severe or Continuous Diarrhea
Giving antibiotics for diarrhea is actually not always necessary, because most diarrhea is caused by a virus and can heal itself within 3-5 days, even without medication. Giving antibiotics will not be effective to treat diarrhea caused by viral infections.
New antibiotics are given if the diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, the diarrhea is severe enough and there is a risk of transmitting it to other people, or if the sufferer has serious comorbidities. The types of antibiotics for diarrhea that are generally given are ciprofloxacin and metronidazole.
However, it should be noted that antibiotics should not be taken carelessly. Antibiotics for diarrhea must be given through consultation or under the supervision of a doctor because not all cases of diarrhea require antibiotics.
In addition to not being useful, giving antibiotics that are not appropriate can also be dangerous, because they can cause bacteria to become resistant to the treatment. Not only that, the side effects that can be caused by antibiotics are also not small, including causing diarrhea to get worse.
Simple Ways to Overcome Diarrhea at Home
As a first step to dealing with diarrhea and preventing dehydration, you can try the following simple steps at home:
Adequate fluid intake
Increase the consumption of water, but drink little by little. Keep your fluid intake at least 1 liter per hour while diarrhea persists.
However, in patients with kidney, liver, and heart disease who are required to limit fluid intake, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will help find ways to meet fluid intake while the patient has diarrhea.
Avoid consuming milk, spicy food, fruit, and caffeine
During diarrhea, avoid consuming milk for at least 3 days after diarrhea symptoms disappear. Also avoid spicy foods, fruit, alcohol, and caffeine for up to 48 hours after diarrhea symptoms disappear.
Instead, consume cheese or yogurt that contains probiotics. In addition, eating biscuits containing salt is also recommended during diarrhea.
Although most diarrhea goes away on its own without antibiotics, you need to be vigilant. Immediately consult a doctor if diarrhea has lasted for more than 2 days or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
Giving antibiotics for diarrhea is a treatment option to treat diarrhea caused by bacterial infections. However, the consumption of antibiotic drugs must always be based on recommendations and under the supervision of a doctor to ensure that the type and dosage of antibiotics used are correct.
In addition, consume antibiotics until they run out according to the dosage and instructions given by the doctor.