FORT LEE, Va. (March 3, 2016) -- Nearly two million people in America are infected with bacteria that antibiotics can no longer treat, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.
In one recent study conducted by the national health care facility accreditation group, The Joint Commission, only 5 percent of 796 health providers surveyed said they would never give antibiotics unless it was certain they would be effective, meaning 95 percent are doing so in as many as 49 percent of their cases.
"I have had full-on arguments with people about antibiotic resistance and why I would not (prescribe) an antibiotic for their viral cold," said urgent care physician Dr. Anna Julien in a recent article found on the website Healthline.com. "Generally, as soon as I tell them antibiotics are ineffective against a virus and a waste of money, they calm down.
"For some reason," Julien noted later in the article, "faith in the body's natural ability to heal itself has waned, and everyone believes an antibiotic is the only possible cure that could help."
Taking an antibiotic when you shouldn't kills good bacteria, and it can cause more problems because the body can become resistant to the drug. Put another way, it makes the individual more prone to other illnesses, and increases the likelihood of antibiotics being less effective or ineffective later on when treating a possible illness or injury where the drug would not only be effective but possibly life-saving.
Health care providers and beneficiaries can help prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance by doing the following:
• Remembering viral infections, sinus problems, most ear and sore throat infections, acute bronchitis, cold and flu cannot be cured by antibiotics. This applies to children as well as adults.
• Regularly practicing good hygiene habits like frequent hand washing to reduce the spread of many illnesses and diseases.
• Carefully considering the length of time over which antibiotics need to be taken and the possible side effects.
• Asking the question, "could I get better by letting the infection run its course without taking an antibiotic?"
• Avoiding "self-medication" … don't take antibiotics that have been prescribed to other individuals.
Remember also, if the doctor prescribes an antibiotic, use all doses as directed even if feeling better after a few days. This reduces the chance there will be bacteria left in the body that could potentially become resistant to antibiotics.
Social Sharing