India, Sept. 6 -- Every time you fall sick with a fever, sore throat, or persistent cough, you may instinctively reach for antibiotics. Most first-aid boxes contain one, perhaps over from a previous prescription or purchased without consulting a doctor.

Azithromycin is a common choice, generally taken at home for flu-like symptoms. But is it safe to use antibiotics so casually? Are there any dos and don'ts, and what could be the consequences of self-medication? ALSO READ: Why a medicine works for one person but not another: Gastroenterologist says the answer may lie in the gut

You may casually take antibiotics stored at home, but the consequences can be severe. Dr Mansi Nigam, a consultant physician at Kailash Deepak Hospital, confirmed...