Becoming more aware of antibiotics
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2013
Self Care health facts column
18 December 2013
Becoming more aware of antibiotics
Surely, we are all aware of antibiotics. They’re those miracle medicines which
successfully treat just about every infection we are likely to encounter. Well, if
that ever was the case, it’s certainly not now.
Last month we celebrated Antibiotic Awareness Week. It was an international
event which in Australia was led by a campaign from the National Prescribing
Service (NPS) to make us all more aware of the limitations of antibiotics and
how important it is to reserve antibiotic use to those situations where they are
absolutely necessary.
The development of antibiotics was one of the most important advances of medicine. But, now,
because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, bacterial infections that were once easily cured
with antibiotics are becoming harder to treat. This is due to what is known as antibiotic resistance.
And this resistance is such a serious issue that the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts a
return towards the health problems of the pre-antibiotic era within a decade. This was a time when
safe surgical procedures were almost impossible, when the simplest of cuts and grazes could lead
to amputations, and apparently mild respiratory infections would result in death. It has become
urgent to institute more rational use of these critically important medicines.
We all share responsibility; and we can all play a part in what could and should be a solution.
Many of us expect, and demand, antibiotics from our doctor for comparatively simple infections
which do not need antibiotics. Many of these infections are viral in origin and will never respond to
antibiotics in any case.
Interestingly, inappropriate and unnecessary use of antibiotics
causes resistance, not just in the wider population, but also to individuals who take them. Studies show that people prescribed
antibiotics are twice as likely to develop their own resistance to that
drug. So, we are putting our own health at risk by taking antibiotics
unnecessarily.
Effective treatment of symptoms is usually all that’s necessary for
Photo by Thomas Picard | sxc.hu
respiratory tract infections such as the common cold. Choose
products which are specific for your needs; the proprietary combination products are not
necessarily the best. Ask your pharmacist to recommend what’s most appropriate. For instance
the use of anti-inflammatory lozenges has been shown to be far more effective than antibiotics in
relieving the symptoms of sore throat.
Of course, you can also minimise the need for antibiotics with some simple and sensible lifestyle
and behaviour strategies. Make sure your (and your children’s and grandchildren’s) immunisation
schedule is up to date.
© Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. I 1
And help prevent the transmission of infection by regular hand washing (especially before
preparing food) and the use of alcohol gels cleansers. If you really have to cough or sneeze, do so
into a disposable tissue or the bend in the elbow – not into your hand.
Meanwhile, an article in this week’s issue of New Scientist magazine approaches the looming
antibiotic crisis from a different point of view. It urges a return to the principles of Florence
Nightingale and to “throw open the windows”. Author Frank Swain says that fresh air and sunshine
don’t have just psychological benefits. What became known as Nightingale wards in hospitals
allowed fresh air to flow freely and to not only dilute airborne infectious organisms but also to
actively kill them.
It seems WHO agrees. It has published a report urging all healthcare settings to use natural
ventilation as far as possible.
More advice about preventing, or at least reducing the risk of, infection can be obtained from
pharmacies around Australia which provide the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care information.
There are special “fact cards” on Antibiotics, Childhood Immunisation, Travel Health and a number
of specific infectious diseases. For the nearest Self Care location phone 1300 369 772 or log on to
the website www.psa.org.au, click on “Self Care” then “Find a Self Care Pharmacy”.
© Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. I 2