Antibiotics Can Bite Back
Antibiotics can bite back. When they can't help you, they can hurt you.
This year, antibiotic resistant bacteria will cause over a million infections - some of them fatal. And at a constantly growing rate, more bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is a major cause of this epidemic problem.
In Nevada, we've had a significant increase in the rate of hospitalized patients with antibiotic resistant bacteria. The cost is high, both from lengthy hospitalizations and even loss of lives. It's a serious problem facing our community.
One thing we know as a proven fact is that taking unnecessary antibiotics increases the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. When they can't help you, they can hurt you. So right now, each of us in Nevada can start working toward a long-term solution by taking antibiotics only when necessary, and only when specifically prescribed by a doctor.
About Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
Bacteria and viruses - two main types of germs - bacteria and viruses - cause most infections. Bacterial infections can be cured by antibiotics, but common viral infections (for instance, colds and flu) cannot.
Resistant bacteria - some new strains of bacteria cannot be killed by antibiotics - they are resistant. Several of these resistant bacteria can be treated with more powerful medicines, which may need to be given by intravenous injection (IV) in a hospital. A few bacteria are already untreatable. The more antibiotics you take, the higher the chance that you'll be infected with resistant bacteria.
How bacteria become resistant - each time we take antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant ones may be left to grow and multiply. Repeated use and unnecessary use of antibiotics are two of the main causes of the increase in resistant bacteria. These resistant bacteria - which are always more difficult to treat - can also be spread to your family and others you come in contact with.
What You Can Do?
Here's your strongest defense against bacterial infections: don't take antibiotics unless they've been prescribed for your current problem by a doctor. In the case of antibiotics, self-diagnosis and self-medication can actually be harmful.
When Are Antibiotics Prescribed?
Colds, flu and most earaches and sorethroats are caused by viruses, not bacteria, so antibiotics have no effect on them. Only strep throat, which must be diagnosed by a lab test, requires antibiotic treatment. Coughs and bronchitis rarely require antibiotics. Some ear infections and some severe sinus infections are treated with antibiotics.
If an antibiotic is prescribed, take the entire amount and don't be tempted to save "leftovers" for future use.
Antibiotics are among the most powerful and important medicines we can use. There's no question they're saving lives in Nevada every day. But used improperly, they're a prescription for real trouble.