Antibiotic Misuse, Bacterial Resistance, Animal Use Health Risks

Despite the 100 years that have elapsed since the discovery of antibiotics, recent studies have shown that most people are confused about what they do, how they work, and why, and when, you should take them. Antibiotics are extensively used in rearing animals and even in breeding aquarium fish. This ignorance and widespread overuse and misuse, has raised concerns about growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics which looms as a major health rise to everyone on Planet Earth. If and when the next pandemic occurs, we all may be at risk if the antibiotics don't work.

Why is Ignorance a problem?

The following points summarize the extend of the ignorance determined by recent surveys in Australia, US and Europe:.

• about 50% of people did not know why not completing the course added to the risk of antibiotic resistance
• about 80% of Australians expect to be given antibiotics for ear, nose, throat or chest infections when they go to the doctor and are very disappointed when they leave empty-handed.
• about 60% of people believe that antibiotics kill viruses, which are the common cause of diseases such as colds, flu and ear infections.
• about 90% of people interviewed did not understand why bacteria were becoming resistant to antibiotics although they have heard of super-bugs and don't like their food being tainted with drugs.

So What are the Facts about Antibiotics and Drug Resistance?

Antibiotics kill bacteria and they have zero impact on viruses. For colds and flu and other common diseases caused by viruses antibiotics will be ineffective. However many people with colds and flu and sore throats only go to their local doctor or medical clinic when the symptoms get worse and last for more than one or two days. People who are sick can get secondary infections from bacteria which can cause bronchitis or 'strep throat' infection cause by streptococcus bacteria. Antibiotics can treat these secondary infections.

In Australia many doctors are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics unless they can see signs that a secondary infection has occurred through a build-up of congestion in the lungs and through examination of the throat, ears and tonsils. Many people who are sick or parents with sick children go to the doctor to get antibiotics to prevent secondary infections or to start preliminary treatment so the illness does not worsen. Patients can get very disappointed or angry when the antibiotics are not prescribed. The doctors are in a sense saving-up the antibiotics for the real and bad infections.