PSA: antibiotic resistance is real

[anotheranon]

Yes, the gubmint lies about some things, but not this. Discussion about the importance of public education about antibiotic resistance, some stats on overuse of antibiotics in clinical and agricultural contexts, and links to other antibiotic resistance sites. I'm hoping my friend L., who recently got her masters' in public health, will weigh in on this subject as I know she knows more than me :)

So - wash your hands, y'all. And if your doc tries to give you an antibiotic when you've got a viral infection, ask why!

Comments

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

I actually have a doctor who won't prescribe for a viral unless it's been going on for more than 2 weeks. And then he is very cautious.

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, idjits like that make it harder for those of us who actually NEED antibiotics on a semi-regular basis to get them.

(I have asthma and hence get bacterial bronchial infections several times a year.)

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

If he knows the history, he will do a blood test right away to determine if it's bacterial.

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Much agreed. I've only taken antibiotics once in my life; I was six and the infection WAS bacterial). Not only does frequent use help the evolution of resistant bacteria, but they're probably the reason for the massive rise in irritable bowel and other digestive-system ailments ... antibiotics, like pesticides, can't differentiate between good bugs and harmful bugs, so all the essential bacteria that are SUPPOSED to be in your digestive system, helping you break down your food, are killed off as well (there are many other chronic ailments that can be traced to excessive antibiotic use as well ... just that I've known a lot of people with chronic digestive problems and they've ALL had a history of heavy antibiotic use).

What I want to know is WHY are doctors so poorly educated that they WOULD prescribe antibiotics for a viral infection? Time for a thorough investigation and evaluation of medical schools, methinks. The cure of this problem has to begin at the source.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

What I want to know is WHY are doctors so poorly educated that they WOULD prescribe antibiotics for a viral infection?

Well, I wonder if it's ignorance or bowing to customer pressure? I had a co worker who told me he'd go in and demand antibiotics for colds, how many doctors just cave in if the patient complains loud enough?

I admit, even my own doc surprised me with this once - she told me that if I get another UTI (I had two this year) that I might want to consider prophylactic antibiotic use (i.e. take before I engage in any activity likely to start an infection). I refused - I figure if I take an antibiotic I don't need when I actually don't and I'm lining myself up to get a worse/longer infection when I do get sick :(

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Patient whining is not grounds for prescribing inappropriate medications. Ever.

Good for you on nixing the doc's suggestion :-) ... if you give your body's native, useful bacteria a chance to rebuild their populations, you're giving your body a better long-term ability to naturally fight off infections and illness.

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I heartily agree that the heavy use of antibiotics (and hormones) in agriculture is a big problem as well. Solving THAT one has to start with the manufacturers and packagers of animal feeds ... it is next to IMPOSSIBLE to purchase grain, corn, barley, or pre-made feeds that AREN'T treated with antibiotics (not all livestock growers can grow their own ... land that's good for grazing isn't necessarily good for crops)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Don't even start me about antibiotics in food! Have you read "Fast Food Nation"?

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

I'm aware of the book, but haven't felt the need to read it ... I know about hormones and medications in feeds (and the difficulties of finding products without these additives) from the growing-up-on-a-farm side (yes, that crap was starting to be put in commercial feeds THAT long ago ... luckily my father and uncles WERE able to grow most of their own livestock fodder, including enough to last through the winter).

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

The best excuse I have ever heard (from at least 2 different doctors) for giving antibiotics to someone with a viral infections is that there will often be opportunistic bacterial infections alongside them. I don't know how much I agree with this though.

I read a CDC estimate that 50% of antibiotic prescriptions are inappropriate. I find that easy to believe. And then we get BS like 5 day courses of antibiotics (azithromycin/z-pac). You could hardly do worse if you tried, regardless of the marketing spin about long half-life; it's nothing like benzathine penicillin.

One MD I talked to told me that some hospitals now keep the vancomycin under lock and key and require a senior doctor to review all prescriptions, since it's one of the few antibiotics that bacteria aren't widely resistant to yet.

In addition drug companies aren't spending as much on developing new antibiotics because they're too cheap and used for too little time. It's much better to have a drug someone will need every day for the rest of their life than for 2-6 weeks.