Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Concern about Misuse of Antibiotics
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Abstract
Novel coronavirus, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, which has been a global threat for human health. The infection of coronavirus spread worldwide. Particularly, the rapid spread in the South American and Asian countries is concerning where population density is very high, and health facilities are inadequate compared to developed countries. In developing countries, people are less willing to go to physicians or hospitals to diagnose diseases. Self-medication is a widespread and prominent practice in those countries, particularly taking of antibiotics. Hence, antibiotics, particularly azithromycin and other last-resort antibiotics related to respiratory tract infection, might be misused or overused for COVID-19 treatment. Therefore, we recommend to the responsible authorities to take an urgent initiative to concern the people of developing and least developed countries about the misuse or overuse of antibiotics against the coronavirus.
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