How to Avoid Antibiotic Resistance
(482 Words)
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health problems. It is defined as when bacteria start to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. The antibiotics that were once effective no longer are because of changes within the bacteria, allowing them to reproduce and continue to wreak havoc. An infection that may have been easily treatable may suddenly pose grave danger. For a variety of reasons, antibiotic resistance is occurring within many different types of bacteria, but there are steps you can take to make a difference.
Much of the incidence of antibiotic resistance is occurring because of the use of antibiotics and in many cases, overuse. Thus to lower the incidence of antibiotic resistance, you want to only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary. Whenever you get sick, your first thought might be to run to the doctor and demand antibiotics. The truth is that antibiotics will not do much for viruses, which cause a great deal of the colds and sicknesses commonly seen.
You should not constantly beg your physician for an antibiotic every time you get sick if he or she feels that it will not help. There is a down side. There may be other ways that you can treat your symptoms.
You should also try to avoid getting the infections for which you would need antibiotics. Oftentimes secondary bacterial infections are triggered by viral conditions. If you can avoid getting sick by staying away from others who are sick, hand washing and other basic preventative techniques you may also lower your need for antibiotics.
It is also very important for you to use an antibiotic correctly. Use the amount directed without skipping doses. Complete the entire course even if you feel better because it may have not been completely eradicated even if you are feeling okay. Do not save old antibiotics that have been left over. Make sure you only take antibiotics that have been prescribed for you because the wrong antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance.
Of course healthcare providers have a great responsibility to prevent antibiotic resistance. They should only prescribe antibiotics when the condition calls for it, and then only the ones that are appropriate for the condition.
One pressing issue is whether antibacterial hand soaps may be contributing to antibiotic resistance. More studies need to be done, but in normal household setting, antibacterial hand soaps are generally not necessary. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee went so far as to vote that there was a lack of evidence for the need of these products over those without an anti-bacterial agent. The vote occurred on October 20, 2005 and was unanimous.
Antibiotic resistance is a serious concern that can have grave effects on the present and the future. The above methods should be utilized to address this issue.
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/anitbiotic-resistance-faqs.html
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/AntibioticsandAntibioticResistance/default.htm