I bet many of you think your actions do not impact the
plight of antibiotic resistance. Answer
honestly – how many of you have been prescribed antibiotics for an infection
like strep
throat only to stop taking them after a few days because you felt better? If you answered yes, you my dear reader, are
helping to create antibiotic resistance.
plight of antibiotic resistance. Answer
honestly – how many of you have been prescribed antibiotics for an infection
like strep
throat only to stop taking them after a few days because you felt better? If you answered yes, you my dear reader, are
helping to create antibiotic resistance.
This week is antibiotic
awareness week. Around the world,
healthcare workers, dentists, veterinarians, farmers, policy makers and we, the
consumer, are talking about ways to help reduce this threat. In case you did not know, antibiotic
resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health and food
security. It’s
easy to think that “it’s not going to affect me”, but the truth is antibiotic
resistance knows no boundaries; age, country, economic status, and health
status mean nothing to an antibiotic resistant bacteria. If you don’t believe me, check out the IDSA website and read the
stories of those who have been impacted by an antibiotic resistant
infection. Some like 9
yr old Brock Wade were lucky and survived.
Others like 21yr
Ricky Lannetti, a healthy football player,
were not and the lives of their families were impacted forever.
awareness week. Around the world,
healthcare workers, dentists, veterinarians, farmers, policy makers and we, the
consumer, are talking about ways to help reduce this threat. In case you did not know, antibiotic
resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health and food
security. It’s
easy to think that “it’s not going to affect me”, but the truth is antibiotic
resistance knows no boundaries; age, country, economic status, and health
status mean nothing to an antibiotic resistant bacteria. If you don’t believe me, check out the IDSA website and read the
stories of those who have been impacted by an antibiotic resistant
infection. Some like 9
yr old Brock Wade were lucky and survived.
Others like 21yr
Ricky Lannetti, a healthy football player,
were not and the lives of their families were impacted forever.
Aside from not finishing our antibiotic treatments, some of
the other causes of antibiotic resistance include:
the other causes of antibiotic resistance include:
- Over-prescribing antibiotics. Infections like a cold or flu, while nasty to
deal with are caused by viruses. Viruses
cannot be treated with antibiotics. If you
have a cold, don’t beg your doctor for or go from walk-in clinic to walk-in
clinic in search of antibiotics. - Over-use of antibiotics in
livestock and fish farming. The good
news is starting in 2017, Veterinary
Feed Directives are being implemented that allow antibiotics to be used only
to treat disease and not aid in the growth of animals. - Poor infection control in
hospitals and clinics. - Lack of hygiene and poor
sanitation. The truth is most antibiotic
resistant bacteria are among the easiest organisms to kill with the proper use
of disinfectants. Ensuring we wash our
hands, tend to wounds or scrapes and clean our homes thoroughly and frequently
will help reduce the risk of transmission. - Lack of new antibiotics being
developed.
If you’re interested in learning more about some of the
specific antibiotic resistant organisms, cleaning
protocols and other tips to fight off antibiotic resistance organisms,
check out our most recent educational campaign – No ESKAPE!
specific antibiotic resistant organisms, cleaning
protocols and other tips to fight off antibiotic resistance organisms,
check out our most recent educational campaign – No ESKAPE!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
