WHO seeks to appeal to the population in an attempt to raise awareness about the need to make good use of antibiotics, since a large health problem is being generated.
The truth is that the misuse of antibiotics is the cause of practically 3000 deaths a year in Spain. For that reason, Being informed about the correct use of them is essential.
Because of this, at CanaryDoctor we have prepared this list of “5 things you should know about antibiotics”, which you should read. Why? In order not to go on to swell the statistics of canaries that use them incorrectly (with the consequences that this can bring, for them and for society in general).
5 things you should know about antibiotics
1 Antibiotics do not work for everything.
The antibiotics they don't work against viral infections. That means they are not effective against the flu or the common cold.
2 Proper use of antibiotics can save lives.
Antibiotics are powerful medications that They fight bacterial infections. Thus, prevent its reproduction and give rise to body defenses become strong and can fight the infection.
Since antibiotics they fight bacteria and not viruses, using them to treat sore throats, bronchitis or colds, may cause more damages than benefits for our organism.
3 Sometimes bacteria resist the antibiotic
This occurs, when bacteria change or they mutate in such a way that they reduce the effectiveness of medications designed to cure or prevent infections. In this way, they survive and continue to multiply, causing more damage.
WHO explains that the emergence of resistance is a natural process, but some Human actions, such as the misuse of antibiotics, can aggravate this situation.
In this sense, multiresistant bacterial infections pose a serious problem worldwide, being involved in more than 35.000 deaths a year in Spain, (according to data from SEIMC, Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology). Esto supposes more than 30 times those killed by traffic accidents in the same period.
For Paloma García de Carlos, technician of the Specialized Care Service of Canary IslandsHealth Service, the solution requires actions that involve the prevention, early detection, local outbreak monitoring, development of training plans of prescribers and information to users, along with the development of antibiotic treatment guidelines adapted to local epidemiology, which encourage the prudent and real use of them.
4 Antibiotics destroy good bacteria
The word Antibiotic means "against life", which implies that eliminate both good and bad bacteria. Killing bad bacteria is good, but by destroying the good bacteria, which are responsible for producing our defenses, the effects on the body can be very harmful.
Antibiotics do not allow all the necessary antibodies that the body produces when we get sick to be generated. Therefore, ironically, by consuming them, the immune system deteriorates. In this way, the immune system is not able to fight against diseases
5 They can generate allergic reactions
Despite being prescribed normally, antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. The reactions can be very diverse depending on each case, ranging from rashes to inflammation of the throat to block oxygen. It is important read the leaflet well when buying the antibiotic at the pharmacy, and if we have any allergic reactions, consult a doctor.
Good use of antibiotics, a matter of responsibility
The use of any medication should be administered with responsibility and knowledge. CanaryDoctor wants to remind you that antibiotics can help us cure a lot of infections, but as long as we use them responsibly and under medical advice. Help us spread the word about the information you just read and that can save lives.