Honey to replace antibiotics in UK’s battle against common cold

Doctors in the United Kingdom are being told to direct people with colds toward honey and over-the-counter remedies in a move aimed at tackling antibiotic resistance.

The advice is contained in proposed new guidelines set to be issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which is also known as NICE, and by Public Health England – the two organizations that guide healthcare excellence in the UK.

The groups say antibiotics should rarely be prescribed for coughs and colds because they do little to improve symptoms and because colds usually run their course within two or three weeks. Most coughs are caused by viruses, which do not respond to antibiotics.

The guidelines follow research that found 48 percent of the UK's general practitioners had prescribed antibiotics for a cough or bronchitis.

Susan Hopkins, a deputy director at Public Health England, told the BBC: "Antibiotic resistance is a huge problem, and we need to take action now to reduce antibiotic use ... These new guidelines will support GPs to reduce antibiotic prescriptions and we encourage patients to take their GP's advice about self-care."

The overuse of antibiotics and the development of drug-resistant superbugs are making infections increasingly difficult to treat.

Sally Davies, England's chief medical officer, has warned of a looming "post-antibiotic apocalypse" because as many as one-in-five GP prescriptions for antibiotics may be inappropriate.

Tessa Lewis, a GP who chairs the antimicrobial prescribing guidelines group, told the Guardian newspaper that people should not rush to see a doctor if they develop a cold.

"If someone has a runny nose, sore throat, and cough, we would expect the cough to settle over two to three weeks and antibiotics are not needed," she said. "People can check their symptoms (online) or ask their pharmacist for advice. If the cough is getting worse, rather than better, or the person feels very unwell or breathless, then they would need to contact their GP."

The Telegraph newspaper noted research has shown honey significantly reduces the frequency and severity of coughs, compared to placebo treatments. Medicines containing pelargonium, a herbal remedy often called kaloba, can help relieve symptoms. And over-the-counter remedies containing the expectorant guaifenesin or the suppressant dextromethorpan may also help.

Nursing Times said an antibiotic may be necessary when someone is "systemically very unwell" or at risk of further complications.

Stakeholders will discuss the proposed new guidelines until Sept 20, after which time they will become NHS policy.