A Call to Action Against Antibiotic Resistance
November 18-24 is U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week
11/17/2023
Tristan O'Driscoll, Aspirus Infectious Diseases Pharmacist
Antibiotic
resistance is on the rise globally. Every year,
over 2.8 million people in the U.S. contract infections due to antibiotic
resistance, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths.
Contrary to common
misconceptions, antibiotic resistance does not refer to the body itself
becoming resistant to antibiotics. Instead, it means that the
microbes—specifically bacteria and fungi—present in the body have developed
resistance to the drugs (antibiotics) that are being used to treat them. This
poses a significant threat to public health, as it can lead to the inefficacy
of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of
spreading resistant strains.
Health experts are
detecting antibiotic resistance locally, too.
Tristan O'Driscoll,
Infectious Diseases Pharmacist and System Antimicrobial Stewardship Coordinator
at Aspirus Health, notes, “We’re seeing infections more commonly now that in
the past were rare.” As infections resistant to treatment become more common,
addressing them becomes increasingly difficult, often requiring costly and less
effective alternatives with added side effects.
O’Driscoll advocates
for a cautious and precise approach to antibiotic usage to avoid unnecessary
complications, side effects and the development of antibiotic resistance.
“It's important to
take antibiotics as prescribed by your provider. Don't self-treat or take
antibiotics that are left over from a previous prescription,” warns O’Driscoll.
“If you think you have an infection, go to your doctor to have them diagnose it
and prescribe proper treatment.”
Using antibiotics
when necessary is crucial, but there are ways to avoid the need for them in the
first place. O'Driscoll emphasizes, "Staying updated on vaccinations and
maintaining hand hygiene are simple ways to prevent infections, reducing the need
for antibiotics. This ensures that antibiotics will be effective when genuinely
needed."
Empower yourself and
your community in the fight against antibiotic resistance. By taking these
simple yet impactful steps, you play a vital role in keeping us healthy now,
preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics and safeguarding the health of
future generations.
For more information
on antibiotic awareness, visit https://www.cdc.gov.
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