Posted: 11/13/2017
World Antibiotic Awareness Week observed Nov. 13-19
If you have ever suffered from an ear infection, bronchitis, strep throat, pink eye or even acne, chances are your doctor prescribed antibiotics or you asked your provider for some. Before you consider taking antibiotics, it is important to know their limitations. Antibiotics must be targeted specifically for the bacteria caused by the infection they work against. Improper prescribing and usage often lead to a far greater problem – antibiotic resistance.
During the week of Nov. 13-19, Parkland Health & Hospital System, along with groups such as The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are promoting awareness about proper antibiotic usage, which is a global health issue. About 23,000 people die every year due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the United States. According to the CDC, antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. Researchers suggest 10 million people worldwide could die every year by 2050 if antibiotic resistance is not addressed.
“Antibiotics are often prescribed in situations where they shouldn’t be,” said Pranavi Sreeramoju, MD, Chief of Infection Prevention at Parkland and Associate Professor of Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “Studies show that up to half of all the antibiotics prescribed are not needed. Patient pressure and lack of awareness among providers play a role and we need to tackle these issues by educating patients and clinicians.”
Colds, flu, most sore throats, and sinus and ear infections are generally caused by viruses and do not need treatment with antibiotics, Dr. Sreeramoju said. On the other hand, there are bacterial infections for which antibiotics should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan and are lifesaving.
Appropriate use of antibiotics prevents emergence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. Among conditions that respond to antibiotics are acne, pneumonia, meningitis, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
Parkland established an Antimicrobial Stewardship Team comprised of physicians and pharmacists who specialize in infectious diseases. Their mission is to educate patients and providers on appropriate use of antibiotics and make it easier for clinicians to follow clinical guidelines.
The use of antibiotics in agriculture is another area of global concern. According to the CDC, evidence suggests antibiotic use in food animals can lead to resistant infections in humans. The Food and Drug Administration recently released guidelines to promote the judicious use of antibiotic drugs in food animals.
“Everyone can and should help. Individuals, policy makers, people in the agricultural sector and healthcare professionals should all take steps to reduce the impact and limit the spread of resistance,” Dr. Sreeramoju said.
The CDC says individuals can prevent and control the spread of antibiotic resistance by:
• Only using antibiotics when prescribed by a certified health professional
• Not demanding antibiotics if a physician says you don’t need them
• Not sharing and not using leftover antibiotics unless recommended by a physician
“We can all prevent spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by regularly washing our hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practicing safer sex and keeping vaccinations up to date,” Dr. Sreeramoju said.
In addition, when patients visit a provider for any illness, they should:
• Leave behind any preconceived notion about what they should be prescribed
• Ask if their health problem is caused by bacteria or a virus
• Take antibiotics as prescribed
• Talk to their doctor before suddenly stopping any antibiotic course
• Understand that a doctor can refuse to give antibiotics
• Have a detailed conversation about all possible treatment options and their pros and cons
Additional information on appropriate antibiotic use is available at https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/index.html. For more information on services at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com.