Spring Break
Flu season prompts discussion on proper antibiotic usage
Over 140,000 emergency room visits a year are due to negative side effects of antibiotics
Carly Dougher
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: News
With the winter season quickly approaching, it is time to review proper antibiotic use to help keep the community at large healthy.
As part of a statewide campaign promoting safe and responsible antibiotic use, this week is Antibiotic Awareness Week, hosted by AWARE, the Oregon Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education.
Antibiotics are an effective treatment for bacterial infections, such as ear infections or tuberculosis. These prescriptions, however, are useless in fights against viral infections, like colds or flus.
Improper use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, a serious public health crisis that results in "super bugs" and infections that are difficult to treat - if they are treatable at all.
The consequences of antibiotic resistance can be fatal.
"It is not an exaggeration to say that the ongoing development of antimicrobial resistance constitutes an emerging public health catastrophe," said George P. Allen, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Oregon State University.
Resistance lowers antibiotic efficacy, increases treatment costs and reduces the availability of antibiotics.
As resistance spreads further, antibiotics may no longer be effective.
"Unfortunately, we will never fully arrest the spread of antimicrobial resistance, because bacteria are remarkably adept at developing resistance, even when antibiotics are used appropriately," Allen said. "However, appropriate antibiotic use is an important strategy that may help to limit the spread of resistance."
To practice proper antibiotic use, when prescribed an antibiotic finish the entire prescription, even if symptoms subside and disappear.
"A patient who takes a partial course of antibiotics is contributing greatly to the development of resistance," Allen said.
Antibiotics should be taken only under the supervision of a health care professional, and should never be self-prescribed or shared with others.
As part of a statewide campaign promoting safe and responsible antibiotic use, this week is Antibiotic Awareness Week, hosted by AWARE, the Oregon Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education.
Antibiotics are an effective treatment for bacterial infections, such as ear infections or tuberculosis. These prescriptions, however, are useless in fights against viral infections, like colds or flus.
Improper use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, a serious public health crisis that results in "super bugs" and infections that are difficult to treat - if they are treatable at all.
The consequences of antibiotic resistance can be fatal.
"It is not an exaggeration to say that the ongoing development of antimicrobial resistance constitutes an emerging public health catastrophe," said George P. Allen, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Oregon State University.
Resistance lowers antibiotic efficacy, increases treatment costs and reduces the availability of antibiotics.
As resistance spreads further, antibiotics may no longer be effective.
"Unfortunately, we will never fully arrest the spread of antimicrobial resistance, because bacteria are remarkably adept at developing resistance, even when antibiotics are used appropriately," Allen said. "However, appropriate antibiotic use is an important strategy that may help to limit the spread of resistance."
To practice proper antibiotic use, when prescribed an antibiotic finish the entire prescription, even if symptoms subside and disappear.
"A patient who takes a partial course of antibiotics is contributing greatly to the development of resistance," Allen said.
Antibiotics should be taken only under the supervision of a health care professional, and should never be self-prescribed or shared with others.
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