Though antibiotics are required to treat severe bacterial infections, misuse has contributed to a rise in bacterial resistance. There is growing concern over the misuse of antibiotics in many countries, including Anguilla, as antibiotic resistance is taking an economic toll on the entire healthcare system.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria. Bacteria can cause various infections such as strep throat, ear infections, and urinary tract infections.
There are many types of antibiotics. Each works a little differently and acts on different types of bacteria. Your doctor will decide which antibiotic will work best for your infection.
Antibiotics were once considered the solution to most infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, combined with bacteria’s ability to resist treatment, mean that antibiotics are no longer as effective. Antibiotic resistance is now a worldwide public health problem.
How to take antibiotics?
You should not take antibiotics unless they are prescribed by a doctor. Ask your doctor how they should be used. The following should be followed:
• Take it exactly as directed. Always take the exact amount that the label says to take. If the label says to take the medicine at a certain time, follow these directions.
• Take it for as long as prescribed. You might feel better after you take it for a few days, but it is important to keep taking the antibiotic as directed. You need the full prescription to get rid of those bacteria that are a bit stronger and survive the first few days of treatment. Bacteria that an antibiotic cannot kill (antibiotic-resistant bacteria) can develop if you (and many other people) take only part of an antibiotic prescription.
Side effects of antibiotics
The vast majority of antibiotics generally are safe. It is important to watch for side effects. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. In women, antibiotics can lead to vaginal yeast infections. In rare cases, antibiotics can cause a dangerous allergic reaction that requires emergency care.
If the antibiotic causes side effects that really bother you, ask your doctor if treatment can help you deal with the side effects. Some minor side effects are hard to avoid, but if they are more severe discuss them with your doctor – or ask your doctor if another antibiotic will work as well but not cause these effects.
Antibiotics can also cause Clostridium difficilecolitis (also called C. difficilecolitis), a swelling and irritation of the large intestine or colon . This happens because the antibiotics kill the normal bacteria in your intestine and allow the C. difficile bacteria to grow. This problem can cause diarrhoea, fever, and belly cramps. In rare cases, it can cause death.
Antibiotic use and misuse
Antibiotics, which have been around for 70 years, have no effect on viruses like those that cause a cold and or the flu — and taking them for viruses may do more harm than good. Doing so can make the bacteria change, which makes antibiotics less likely to work. That is called resistance. Resistant infections make people sicker. They stay in the hospital longer and need more expensive treatment.
Do not take other person’s antibiotics
Someone else’s antibiotic may not be the right one for your illness. Taking the wrong medicine may make it take longer for you to get better — and could even make you get worse.
Do not pressure your doctor to prescribe antibiotics
Many doctors have stated that their patients pressure them to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics. This practice must stop. Do not pressure your doctor for antibiotics when you have a viral infection. Instead, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to feel better when you are ill. There are medicines you can take to relieve your symptoms. Do not expect to get antibiotics every time you have a respiratory infection as most of these are caused by a virus.
Antibacterial soaps
Some studies suggest triclosan, which is in many antibacterial soaps and cleansers, may lead to changes in bacteria that make antibiotics less effective in fighting them. The FDA wants companies that make these soaps to show more proof that they work. The agency says there is no evidence that these soaps are better at preventing illness than plain soap and water.
Does all ear infections need antibiotics?
Ear infections can also be caused by a virus or bacteria. They may get better without antibiotics. Doctors consider several things when deciding whether to use them, including the person’s age and how sick the person is. They may decide to wait a couple of days to see if symptoms go away.
Animals can play a role in antibiotics not working
Livestock that get antibiotics can develop resistant bacteria in their bodies, which are then in the meat we eat. When you don’t cook or handle the meat right, the bacteria can spread to humans. Fertilizer and water used on crops we eat can also spread bacteria. The FDA says it is phasing out the use of antibiotics – except those prescribed by a veterinarian – in animals raised for food.
Conclusion
We all need to be responsible about the antibiotics we take. Using antibiotics to treat viral infections like a cold or flu, using antibiotics too often, and not using antibiotics as prescribed, are all contributing to the problem. Use antibiotics wisely to help protect your health and the health of your family and community.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
