Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

April 19

Antibiotic Resistance

When your child is ill, all you want to do is make them better as fast as you can.

So many times we assume that when our children get a cold or ear infection, antibiotics will help. That’s not always the case. Yet, of the 100 million doses of antibiotics given by doctors every year, it’s estimated that about half of those are unnecessary. Many times the illness would have gone away without the antibiotics. And in the meantime, we’ve created a significant health problem–antibiotic resistance.

The two main types of germs that cause illness are viruses and bacteria. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. These germs are smart — once exposed to an antibiotic, they can find ways to survive, and then multiply. Germs that are antibiotic resistant are more difficult to cure, requiring stronger antibiotics, or sometimes hospitalization.

We create resistant germs by using antibiotics for viral infections or stronger drugs than are necessary for bacterial infections. When just one member of the household takes an antibiotic, it can cause others in the same household to have more resistant bacteria in the throat or on the skin. These bacteria could cause infection or spread to others in the community.

We can prevent antibiotic resistance by avoiding the use of antibiotics for a viral infection such as a cold or mild sore throat; hand washing, so as not to spread the germs; taking the antibiotics exactly as the doctor prescribes; and finishing the full course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms go away.

Sometime it’s not clear if the illness is caused by a virus or bacteria, so it’s a good idea to check with your physician. Even if antibiotics aren’t needed, your doctor can suggest ways to make your child more comfortable while the illness runs its course. He or she can also tell you what signs to look for that suggest the illness is getting worse.

You mentioned that up to half of the antibiotics prescribed may be unnecessary. Why are doctors prescribing them then?

It’s only recently we’ve come to fully appreciate this problem. Also many times patients don’t feel tended to unless they get a prescription and sometimes, quite honestly, it’s easier to write a prescription than go through a long discussion. That’s why it’s so important for both physicians and patients to be aware of this problem, and work together to avoid making it worse.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control: Antibiotic Resistance
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/antibioticresistance

April 19
Antibiotic Resistance
	When your child is ill, all you want to do is make them better as fast as you can. So many times we assume that when our children get a cold or ear infection, antibiotics will help. That’s not always the case. Yet, of the 100 million doses of antibiotics given by doctors every year, it’s estimated that about half of those are unnecessary. Many times the illness would have gone away without the antibiotics. And in the meantime, we’ve created a significant health problem–antibiotic resistance. The two main types of germs that cause illness are viruses and bacteria. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. These germs are smart — once exposed to an antibiotic, they can find ways to survive, and then multiply. Germs that are antibiotic resistant are more difficult to cure, requiring stronger antibiotics, or sometimes hospitalization. We create resistant germs by using antibiotics for viral infections or stronger drugs than are necessary for bacterial infections. When just one member of the household takes an antibiotic, it can cause others in the same household to have more resistant bacteria in the throat or on the skin. These bacteria could cause infection or spread to others in the community. We can prevent antibiotic resistance by avoiding the use of antibiotics for a viral infection such as a cold or mild sore throat; hand washing, so as not to spread the germs; taking the antibiotics exactly as the doctor prescribes; and finishing the full course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms go away. Sometime it’s not clear if the illness is caused by a virus or bacteria, so it’s a good idea to check with your physician. Even if antibiotics aren’t needed, your doctor can suggest ways to make your child more comfortable while the illness runs its course. He or she can also tell you what signs to look for that suggest the illness is getting worse.

	You mentioned that up to half of the antibiotics prescribed may be unnecessary. Why are doctors prescribing them then? It’s only recently we’ve come to fully appreciate this problem. Also many times patients don’t feel tended to unless they get a prescription and sometimes, quite honestly, it’s easier to write a prescription than go through a long discussion. That’s why it’s so important for both physicians and patients to be aware of this problem, and work together to avoid making it worse. REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: Centers for Disease Control: Antibiotic Resistance www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/antibioticresistance