World Antibiotic Awareness Week (November 18–24) is observed globally to draw attention to the dangers of antibiotic misuse and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. It serves as a powerful reminder that while antibiotics can save lives, their overuse can also create long-term health consequences that extend far beyond immediate infections.

According to Dr Aprit Bansal, Consultant, Advanced Laparoscopy and Surgical Oncology, Allahabad, one of the most overlooked effects of antibiotic misuse is the damage it causes to the gut microbiome. Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria, but they also wipe out beneficial microbes that support digestion, immunity, metabolism, and overall everyday health.

Dr Bansal explains that many people still use antibiotics for viral illnesses such as colds

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