Antibiotics and You...Perfect Together?

Today's entry is adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... Many people are prescribed antibiotics without good reason. This may lead to resistance of bacteria, overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut, and possibly even death. Taking medications unnecessarily exposes one to the harmful side effects and drug-drug interactions of these medications without the benefit. The CDC is trying to prevent these problems by educating patients and physicians regarding the proper use of antibiotics.

Next time your doctor prescribes an antibiotic ask questions like: What disease/infection are treating me for? Is there a clinical guideline you are following? Is my infection actually bacterial? What can I do to prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea? How do I take this medicine safely? Will it interact with my current medications? What are the side effects I can expect?

From CDC:

"Upper respiratory infections account for three quarters of all antibiotics prescribed by office-based physicians.1 If antibiotics were always prescribed appropriately, the resulting increase in resistance could be seen as inevitable and unavoidable. However, antibiotics are often used inappropriately.

Even though prescribing rates have decreased, current data suggest that, for all ages combined, more than ten million courses of antibiotics are prescribed each year for viral conditions that do not benefit from antibiotics.2

In response to rising rates of resistance and inappropriate prescribing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the Campaign for Appropriate Antibiotic Use in the Community in 1995.3 In 2003, the campaign was branded and launched as Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work. This campaign aims to reduce rising rates of antibiotic resistance by:
promoting adherence to appropriate prescribing guidelines among providers;
decreasing demand for antibiotics for viral upper respiratory infections among healthy adults and parents of young children; and increasing adherence to prescribed antibiotics for upper respiratory infections."

*Upper Respiratory Infections include: pharyngitis, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis, and the common cold

Footnote References
1. McCaig LF, Hughes JM: Trends in antimicrobial drug prescribing among office-based physicians in the United States. JAMA 273:214-219, 1995.
2. McCaig LF. Personal communication, July 10, 2003.
3. Corbett KK: Susceptibility of youth to tobacco: a social ecological framework for prevention. Respir Physiol 128:103-118, 2001.

Here are some tips from the CDC:


-Antibiotics do not treat viral illnesses like colds and sore throat (except strep throat).

-Your body will fight viral illnesses that cause most upper respiratory infections.

-You should only use antibiotics that are prescribed to you by a healthcare provider; always follow the instructions on the label and properly dispose of any leftover medication.

-Do not share your antibiotics with anyone, not even a family member.

-The inappropriate use of antibiotics may lead to unnecessary and sometimes dangerous side effects [and possibly death - Dr Safety].

-Each time people take antibiotics, they are more likely to carry resistant germs in their noses and throats. Common antibiotics cannot kill these resistant germs.

-Good hand hygiene is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading illnesses.

-Appropriate antibiotic use can help protect you and your child.


Check out these CDC links to learn more and protect yourself and your family!


http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/index.htm


CDC Podcasts

http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=10055

http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=10054


adapted from CDC [August 18, 2008 Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases / Division of Bacterial Diseases and http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/week/gsw-document.htm#1]


Also, as we enter the Flu season, I must remind you to get your influenza vaccination asap!

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