Antibiotics are prescribed for a wide array of maladies ranging from sinus infections to E. coli, however, some find it difficult to discern whether the fatigue they feel while taking antibiotics is due to infection or side effects stemming from the medication.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. The drugs can be administered orally, intravenously, or topically. They are not effective against viral infections, like the flu, colds, and most cases of bronchitis, according to MedlinePlus.
The great thing about antibiotics is that they typically get to work immediately, either surrounding bacteria, blocking bacteria’s production of protein toxins, or interrupting bacteria reproduction.
Still, there can be some side effects. For instance, digestive issues are commonly reported by those taking a course of antibiotics. The balance of good bacteria in the gut can be upset by antibiotics, potentially leading to diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal discomfort.
For similar reasons, women can develop yeast infections due to disruptions of the bacteria balance in the vaginal tract.
Some people can even experience photosensitivity while taking antibiotics, raising their risk of sunburn.
As to whether antibiotics cause fatigue, Dr. Neha Narula of Stanford Healthcare told USA Today that it depends largely on the person.
“Some individuals can experience drowsiness or tiredness as a result of taking antibiotics, while others may not experience it at all,” Narula explained.
On the other hand, fatigue is commonly associated with bacterial infections.
“When your body is fighting an infection, it is using energy to mount an immune response which can often lead to feelings of tiredness and fatigue, especially in cases of systemic infections,” Narula said.
There are some important dos and don’ts when it comes to taking antibiotics.
For instance, it is vital to follow the prescribing physician’s directions in terms of dosage and duration of treatment. Skipping doses or not finishing the course can contribute to the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 2.8 million cases of antibiotic-resistant infections are reported annually in the United States. Such infections account for at least 35,000 fatalities annually.
Some cases stem from food safety issues. For instance, a report from Sedgwick Claims Management Services claimed in March that there was an alarming 700% increase in the number of food units recalled by the FDA over safety concerns in 2022 compared to 2021.
Earlier in 2023, a salmonella outbreak stemmed from contaminated flour, as reported by The Dallas Express. A dozen people across the country reported falling ill after consuming raw dough.
Meat products are also sometimes carriers of bacteria or superbugs like drug-resistant E. coli.
A study by researchers at George Washington University found that between 480,000 and 640,000 of the urinary tract infections logged in the United States each year can be traced to consuming meat products contaminated with foodborne bacteria like E. coli.
While the severity of bacterial infections varies significantly, those who are obese have been found to be much more susceptible to developing serious complications from common infections.
