Antibiotics Are Being Over-Prescribed At An Alarming Rate
A recent analysis of data involving more than 15 millions antibiotic prescriptions in America.
Researchers found that 23.2% outpatient antibiotic prescriptions are inappropriate HTML4_ for the diagnosis.
An additional 35.5% of prescriptions were classified only as “potentially inappropriate.” Another 28.5% weren’t even related to a recent diagnoses, such as inappropriate refills for previous prescriptions which may not be necessary anymore.
Only 13% of the antibiotic prescriptions can be classified with confidence as being necessary and appropriate in the circumstances.
Antibiotics Are Not a “Cure-All” Treatment
Many people, including doctors and patients, believe that antibiotics can be used to treat almost all diseases and infections.
Someone may visit their doctor because of a cold, or another illness (or because their child is sick). The doctor might tell the patient to wait and use decongestants over-the counter to treat symptoms. The patient, however, wants to be cured quickly and so asks for an antibiotic prescription.
Antibiotics can only be used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics will not work on common colds, flu and other viral illnesses.
The dangers of over-prescriptions of antibiotics
In years past, doctors prescribed antibiotics as a precautionary measure. They believed that it was a safe and effective way to treat an illness.
This is not true.
Overuse of antibiotics has been linked to a number of dangerous side effects.
We now know a lot more about the microbiome of the gut and the importance to maintain a healthy balance in bacteria within the body. Antibiotics are helpful when pathogenic bacteria have invaded the body and caused an infection, but they can also wipeout beneficial bacteria populations.
This may lead to digestive issues, immune system weakness, and nutritional deficiencies.
A great threat to global health
Antibiotic resistance can be accelerated by over-prescribing .
If antibiotics are mishandled, it is possible that not all pathogenic bacteria can be eliminated. The bacteria which have survived may then multiply, resulting in a population of bacteria capable of resisting the antibiotic treatment.
Since antibiotics are being misused at such a large scale, there is an increasingly high chance of contagious, antibiotic-resistance bacteria spreading across the world. This could lead to an outbreak of “superbugs” that are dangerous and cannot be treated.
As the threat increases, more cases of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia, tuberculosis and gonorrhea are expected.
Antibiotic resistance has been identified as “one of today’s biggest threats to global food security, health and development” by the World Health Organization, among other health organizations.
According to the WHO, you can help by:
* Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a health care professional.
* Don’t insist on a prescription if your doctor says you don’t require one.
* When using antibiotics, always follow the instructions on dosage and other recommended measures.
* Do not share antibiotics leftovers with others.
Use good hygiene practices and food safety to prevent spreading and catching infections.
The health and food industry must take action at all levels to better manage antibiotic use and ensure that they are only used when necessary.
