Your Child’s Health—A reminder about appropriate antibiotic use
Antibiotics are miracle drugs. But like so many good things, they have the potential for causing harm. This negative consequence may be inadvertent as all medications have side effects, or because widespread use of antibiotics may create deadlier germs. In large measure, determining which way the pendulum known as “nature’s balance” swings results from how antibiotics are used.
It is most important to realize that not all germs are killed by antibiotics. In fact, the minority of germs are susceptible, and these are bacteria.
Antibiotics do not kill viruses, and all colds are due to viruses. Thus, simple colds, including sore throats, runny noses and coughs should not be treated with antibiotics.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics (e.g. prescribing it for a cold, which we know will not help) is the single biggest cause of antibiotic resistance, which the CDC now considers to be one of the world’s most important health problems.
Antibiotic resistance is the ability for a bacteria to no longer be killed or be rendered harmless by the antibiotic. Virtually each time an antibiotic is used, sensitive bacteria are killed, leaving more resistant ones to remain.
With continued use, more resistant bacteria emerge through several different ways. These days, almost every bacteria has some resistance and is therefore less affected by antibiotics. Thus, when an invading bacteria needs to be killed, the antibiotic may not work. These germs (bacteria) can, and often then spread to other family members as well as to the community. When this happens, a scare or real crisis occurs. For example, we all know that resistant staphylococcal bacteria now referred to as MRSA (those which cause boils, etc) has become a problem and is now in every community. Skin infections are treated with other, and often stronger and often multiple antibiotics, and these have greater side effects. Moreover, this is only a temporary solution because bacteria also become resistant to those medicines, and this process outpaces the development of new antibiotics. “Super germs” that are resistant to every antibiotic are increasingly being reported, with fatality being the worst outcome.
Remember that bacteria, not people, are becoming resistant. To stem this tread, we all should use that strong therapeutic tool known as antibiotics wisely.
Some tips for patients include:
• Take the antibiotic as directed. Discontinuing the medicine before completing the full course may let some bacteria survive, and then reinfect the person.
• Discard any leftover antibiotic.
• Do not pressure your clinician into prescribing antibiotics. In fact, I would like to see more people question the practitioner as to why an antibiotic is prescribed for a viral illness.
• Prevent the spread both in your home and in the community by washing your hands. Any soap is fine—it does not need to be antibacterial.
• Do not give leftover antibiotics to a family member for a medically undiagnosed illness.
The opinions expressed are solely the writer’s. Robert A. Dershewitz, M.D., Sc.M., FAAP, is a pediatrician at Healthy Kids Care Center in St. John and is affiliated with The Community Hospital in Munster.
