Working Together to
Preserve Antibiotic
Power
Working
Together to
Preserve
Antibiotic Power
By: The
Coalition for
Affordable
Quality
Healthcare (CAQH)
(Medical
Review Date:
2001)
Many people
think of
antibiotics as a
magic bullet
when it comes to
illness and
disease, and
with good
reason. The
first antibiotic
was discovered
in 1928 and
became widely
available in the
1940s, wiping
out deadly
diseases like
scarlet fever.
Yet today,
antibiotics may
be “too much of
a good thing,"
because overuse
has led to a
growing public
health threat
called
antibiotic
resistance.
While media
coverage of the
problem of
antibiotic
resistance has
increased in
recent years,
many patients
remain unaware
of the
differences
between viral
and bacterial
infections, and
the fact that
antibiotics are
powerless
against viral
infections such
as most coughs,
the common cold
and the flu.
This confusion
causes them to
ask their doctor
for what they
think works best
to cure an
illness: a
strong dose of
antibiotics.
Misuse of
antibiotics has
contributed to
the development
of antibiotic
resistance,
which results in
nearly two
American deaths
each hour,
according to the
World Health
Organization.
Blue Cross of
California, as a
member of the
Coalition for
Affordable
Quality
Healthcare (CAQH),
is collaborating
with the Centers
for Disease
Control and
Prevention (CDC)
to preserve the
power of
antibiotics.
Save Antibiotic
Strength (SAS)
is a program on
both national
and local levels
to educate
patients about
the threat of
antibiotic
resistance and
to arm
physicians with
information and
tools to support
appropriate
antibiotic use.
The consequence
of antibiotic
overuse is
stronger,
tougher
bacteria. The
human body
normally is home
to millions of
bacteria. These
‘friendly’
bacteria found
on the skin, in
the mouth and
lining the
digestive tract
are harmless and
many are
necessary for
the normal
functioning of
the body.
Whether an
antibiotic is
taken correctly
for a bacterial
infection or
taken
inappropriately
for a viral
infection, using
it eliminates
thousands of
friendly
bacteria. With
less competition
from these
harmless,
‘friendly’
bacteria, the
newly mutated,
antibiotic-resistant
‘super bugs’ can
multiply more
freely.
The CDC
recommends
patients follow
these guidelines
for antibiotic
resistance
prevention:
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Antibiotics
do not work
against
viral
infections
like most
coughs, the
common cold,
or the flu.
Do not take
an
antibiotic
drug for a
viral
illness. Ask
about ways
to help
relieve your
symptoms if
your
physician
determines
that you do
not have a
bacterial
infection.
Do not
pressure
your doctor
to prescribe
an
antibiotic.
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Take
medicine
exactly as
your
physician
prescribes. |
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Take the
antibiotic
until it is
gone, even
if you are
feeling
better. Do
not save the
medication
to treat
yourself or
others
later.
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