The trouble with antibiotics

Most people are aware of the potential downsides of taking an antibiotic. These side effects can range from allergic reactions to stomach upset, diarrhea, mental confusion, and in some cases, Clostridium difficile colitis – painful colon inflammation caused by a disruption in the normal balance of bacteria in the large intestine. However, more recently, concerns regarding the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasingly in the news. “Antimicrobial stewardship” promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, including antibiotics, in order to improve patient outcomes, reduce drug resistance, and limit the spread of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This concept is not new. Calls for optimizing the use of antibiotics, particularly in outpatient settings, have existed for decades. As of 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed 18 antibiotic resistant microbes. In 2016, the CDC reported that antibiotic-resistant infections affect 2 million people. There are a number of reasons for the increase in bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, making some of those antibiotics less effective, but inappropriate prescribing and misuse are big contributors. In 2015, the White House National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria set a goal of reducing inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use by 50% by 2020. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported on the preva...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Drugs and Supplements Infectious diseases Managing your health care Source Type: news