Antibiotics unnecessary for colds

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According to new research, our doctors are needlessly prescribing antibiotics for common coughs and colds and it's costing the NHS millions of pounds.

Many of the things we get at this time of year, like ear infections, sore throats and chesty coughs, will clear up on their own, says the British Medical Journal.

And official guidance says GPs shouldn't prescribe antibiotics for these conditions, because there's no clear evidence they actually prevent serious complications.

In 2000, antibiotics were still being given to 67% of patients with respiratory infections, reveals Dr Andrew Hayward of University College London.

This included:

90% of those with chesty coughs
80% with ear infections
60% with sore throats

But Dr Hayward did admit that doctors feel an obligation to do something for patients: 'I've spoken to GPs who live in fear of complaints - they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.'

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