Antibiotics vs. Antibacterial Infections
Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed medicines in modern practice. There are about a 100 different types, and they are generally used to treat germ-based infections -- those caused by bacteria and certain parasites. They are typically prescribed for serious infections such as pneumonia and meningitis. Antibiotics work by either killing the bacteria or preventing them from reproducing.
Antibacterial infections are caused by less than 1 percent of all known bacteria. An example of “good” bacteria is the type that aids digestion, supplying the body nutrients and destroying disease-carrying cells. Infections are often indicated by the rapid onset of symptoms caused by toxins cast off by the ever-growing mass of infectious cells.
With the introduction of antibiotics, bacteria are doing what they are programmed to do -- change or die. Most bacteria die when antibiotics are introduced, but there are those with qualities that allow it to neutralize the drug’s action or block the effects of the antibiotic. Those carrying these qualities live on to multiply, passing on anti-antibiotic features to the next generation. Also, there are bacteria that can pass antibacterial strains between microorganisms, one to another.
Antibiotics are not effective against the common cold, flu, most sore throats and ear infections. These ailments most likely are caused by viruses, which do not respond to antibiotics.
Things You Can Do to Prevent the Spread of Resistant Bacteria
Don’t let a physician prescribe antibiotics for a cold or flu just to satisfy your expectation of medication. Don’t ignore signs of over-prescription of antibiotics and other concerns.
Yep, you are sick as a dog and visit a doctor, expecting a shot or prescription for something, anything, that alleviates those swollen eyes and runny nose. But more than likely, antibiotics won’t do a darn thing about your symptoms. Over-the-counter drugs that manage your symptoms would do more than antibiotics. So don’t pressure your physician for a prescription or shot in hopes of shortening your illness. It won’t. And it will add to the problem of drug-resistant antibiotics.
Another problem occurs when antibiotics are not taken correctly. How often does this happen? You’re taking antibiotics and it’s been a few days. You feel a thousand times better, so you stop taking your meds though there are another few days to go. Don’t do this! It will only encourage antibiotic-resistant strains of your illness. Also, if you don’t completely get rid of the illness, you are a carrier and may spread the illness to your family, friends and coworkers, or become reinfected.
Some doctors may prescribe inappropriate antibiotics for your kind of infection based on misreading symptoms and without waiting for lab results. In this case, you are counting on the professionalism of your physician to be informed of the type of antibiotic he or she prescribes.
Another ding on docs is the “just in case” course of antibiotics. Some physicians have common practices that include prescribing possibly unneeded antibiotics, which adds millions to the cost of health care.
The bottom-line picture of misuse of prescription antibiotics is one of ineffectiveness of treatment, higher health care expenditures, extended times of patient illness and a higher risk of death.
What You Can Do
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, don’t be afraid to question why you are being given these meds. Often, physicians feel pressured by patients or protocol for prescriptions that ultimately are, at best, useless. At worst, it can be harmful to the patient and community. Consequently, don’t pressure your doctor for medications like antibiotics without doing your research. Many common ailments don’t respond to antibacterial medications.
Question your pharmacist as to whether he or she thinks this medication is appropriate; mention other prescription meds you are taking and ask about possible drug interactions. Read the label and make sure you understand dosing information. Do you take it on an empty stomach or after eating? Strict dosing or a little flexible? Taking an antibiotic under the wrong circumstances could result in prolonged illness and reduced overall drug efficacy.
Take the entire course of antibiotics, even though you may feel tons better and are back on your feet. The danger of stopping your meds could be reinfection if the antibiotics didn’t knock out all of the illness-causing bacteria. These bacteria are theoretically more resistant to the antibiotic than the original strain that caused the illness in the first place. So be careful.
There are many generous people who will share the leftover contents of an antibiotic prescription with you. The wisest thing is to gently encourage that person to toss the pills into the trash. More than likely, it is not enough to treat an infection effectively.
Two simple things you can do to help prevent bacterial infections is to get a flu shot and wash your hands often with soap and running water.
One larger issue you may want to monitor is the use of antibiotics in farm or food animals. Eighty percent of available antibiotics in this country is given to livestock, though they are not sick. This overuse of antibiotic drugs in farm animals is being blamed in some scientific publications for the emergence of the superbug in this country. Get informed and get healthy!