Antibiotic resistance a global health issue
Q: Why do bacteria and germs become resistant to antibiotics?
A: Antibiotic resistance occurs when antibiotics lose their ability to kill bacteria. When a patient takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed. However, if any resistant germs remain, they may continue to grow and multiply. Repeated and improper antibiotic use is the main cause of the increase in drug-resistant bacteria or "superbugs."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates and co-workers - threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat.
When more and more bacteria become resistant to first line drug treatments, the consequences may be severe - illnesses can last longer, and the risk of complications and death increases.
The medical and scientific communities are fighting antibiotic resistance by researching techniques to modify current antibiotics to prevent resistant bacteria from attacking them. Production of a new antibiotic is a difficult and expensive process. This process usually takes around ten years and $300 million to bring the new antibiotic drug from the lab into the marketplace.
Q: How can I properly use antibiotics to reduce the cause of resistance in bacteria?
A: Antibiotic resistance has grown due mostly to the misuse of antibiotic products. There are a few steps individuals can take to reduce antibiotic resistance.
You should know when to use antibiotics and when to let your body heal itself. Antibiotics are appropriate to treat most bacterial infections and should be used only when prescribed by your provider. Remember, antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or influenza.
Never pressure your provider for antibiotics. You should work with them to determine if your illness is the result of a bacterial or a viral infection. If your infection is from a virus, discuss options to relieve your symptoms without drugs - such as using a humidifier or nasal irrigation for nasal congestion, or a beverage of warm water, lemon and honey to relieve a sore throat.
If you have a bacterial infection, talk to your provider about whether you should take an antibiotic or allow your body to heal itself. For example, research has shown that ear infections will often heal on their own without the use of antibiotics, so - depending on the symptoms and severity - many providers are now recommending watchful waiting combined with pain-relieving medication.
Only take antibiotics as prescribed. Carefully follow the medication instructions provided by doctor. Do not stop taking your medication early, even if you start to feel better. A complete course of antibiotics is needed to eliminate bacteria. A shortened course of antibiotics can eliminate the sensitive bacteria, but still allow the resistant bacteria to survive.
If you do not have a prescription from your provider for antibiotics, then you should not be taking them. Do not use leftover antibiotics or pills because they may not treat the illness you have developed. Be sure to consult your provider to determine the best plan of action in overcoming the infection.
Remember to work with your health care provider to determine if an antibiotic is the appropriate treatment for your illness. We must work together to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. The appropriate use of antibiotics is essential to control the rise of antibiotic resistance.
- Dr. Johnson is a pediatrician who provides health care for children from birth through young adulthood. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa and completed her residency in Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in Memphis. Dr. Johnson is board certified in pediatrics and works at Monroe Clinic and Monroe Clinic-Freeport. Some of the conditions she treats are asthma, reflux, seizures, behavioral illnesses, allergies, gastrointestinal problems, injuries, and pain.
Q: Why do bacteria and germs become resistant to antibiotics?
A: Antibiotic resistance occurs when antibiotics lose their ability to kill bacteria. When a patient takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed. However, if any resistant germs remain, they may continue to grow and multiply. Repeated and improper antibiotic use is the main cause of the increase in drug-resistant bacteria or "superbugs."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates and co-workers - threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat.
When more and more bacteria become resistant to first line drug treatments, the consequences may be severe - illnesses can last longer, and the risk of complications and death increases.
The medical and scientific communities are fighting antibiotic resistance by researching techniques to modify current antibiotics to prevent resistant bacteria from attacking them. Production of a new antibiotic is a difficult and expensive process. This process usually takes around ten years and $300 million to bring the new antibiotic drug from the lab into the marketplace.
Q: How can I properly use antibiotics to reduce the cause of resistance in bacteria?
A: Antibiotic resistance has grown due mostly to the misuse of antibiotic products. There are a few steps individuals can take to reduce antibiotic resistance.
You should know when to use antibiotics and when to let your body heal itself. Antibiotics are appropriate to treat most bacterial infections and should be used only when prescribed by your provider. Remember, antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or influenza.
Never pressure your provider for antibiotics. You should work with them to determine if your illness is the result of a bacterial or a viral infection. If your infection is from a virus, discuss options to relieve your symptoms without drugs - such as using a humidifier or nasal irrigation for nasal congestion, or a beverage of warm water, lemon and honey to relieve a sore throat.
If you have a bacterial infection, talk to your provider about whether you should take an antibiotic or allow your body to heal itself. For example, research has shown that ear infections will often heal on their own without the use of antibiotics, so - depending on the symptoms and severity - many providers are now recommending watchful waiting combined with pain-relieving medication.
Only take antibiotics as prescribed. Carefully follow the medication instructions provided by doctor. Do not stop taking your medication early, even if you start to feel better. A complete course of antibiotics is needed to eliminate bacteria. A shortened course of antibiotics can eliminate the sensitive bacteria, but still allow the resistant bacteria to survive.
If you do not have a prescription from your provider for antibiotics, then you should not be taking them. Do not use leftover antibiotics or pills because they may not treat the illness you have developed. Be sure to consult your provider to determine the best plan of action in overcoming the infection.
Remember to work with your health care provider to determine if an antibiotic is the appropriate treatment for your illness. We must work together to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. The appropriate use of antibiotics is essential to control the rise of antibiotic resistance.
- Dr. Johnson is a pediatrician who provides health care for children from birth through young adulthood. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa and completed her residency in Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in Memphis. Dr. Johnson is board certified in pediatrics and works at Monroe Clinic and Monroe Clinic-Freeport. Some of the conditions she treats are asthma, reflux, seizures, behavioral illnesses, allergies, gastrointestinal problems, injuries, and pain.
