Taking antibiotics when infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can worsen the patient’s condition and lead to serious complications. A preprint of the research conducted by scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology is available in the Research Square repository.
Experts monitored the health of 1,613 patients with COVID-19 who did not experience severe symptoms. They were admitted to hospitals with a low risk of bacterial infection, and they were divided into groups, one of which resorted to early antibiotics. During 30 days of observation, complications were revealed in some patients. In Group. where antibiotics were taken, their frequency was unexpectedly one and a half times higher than in the control group.
Thus, antibiotics contributed to the progression of the disease, a long stay in hospital (more than 15 days) and the development of secondary infections. There was no association with increased mortality.
As the scientists write, they recommend avoiding the use of antibiotics, except in cases of extreme necessity, in patients with non-severe COVID-19, especially in the early stages.