for the seasonal flu and walked out of the clinic with a prescription for antibiotics? I have. Actually, some of us, including me, become very upset if the doctor fails to prescribe antibiotics for us. Since the discovery of antibiotics, they have become the miracle treatment for all types of infections, specific and non-specific. Even though antibiotics are only effective when treating bacterial infection, many seek them for viral infections such as the common cold, etc. Hence, this reckless practice
Antibiotic, or antimicrobial medication is used for treatment and prevention of a bacterial infection, which may inhibit or kill the growth of the microorganism. (1) These medications are used for two correlating therapies: empirical therapy and definitive antibiotic therapy. (1, 2) Empirical therapy is used for patients who have a proven or suspected infection in their body but the specific bacteria has not been identified. (2) During empirical therapy, an individual is given a broad-spectrum antibiotic
Prophylactic antibiotics are “using antibiotics to guard against or prevent the spread or occurrence of disease or infection.” This is a paradoxical façade presented to us by the majority of the medical world, the cattle and animal agriculture industry, and the fortune 500 companies (Prophylaxis). Prophylactic antibiotics kill tens of thousands of people every year; approximately 23,000 people from last year alone had prophylactic antibiotic related deaths, and are suspected to significantly help
According the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s greatest health threats to date (Haddox, 2013). In the article, The Health Threat of Antibiotic Resistance, Gail Haddox (2013) discusses the danger antibiotic resistance poses in today’s society and strategies to prevent the expansion of antibiotic resistance. In Europe alone, an estimated 25,000 deaths have been attributed to multi-resistant infections (Haddox, 2013). Common infections are now harder to treat
antibiotics have become the predominant treatment of bacterial infections. Through misuse, unnecessary prescriptions, and inadequate dosing, the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria has advanced at an astonishing rate (CDC, 2014; Laxminarayan et al., 2013). The urgency for maintaining antibiotic efficacy has become a global epidemic. Through utilization of advanced methods of action, innovative technology, and new implementations for health care professionals, antibiotic viability may be attainable
actions of the U.S government and public health agencies around the world to address this big concern to the world’s safety. Antibiotics and Their Influence on the Creation of Superbugs Antibiotic resistant infections are on the rise in the United States, and this rise can be directly attributed to the over-prescription of antibiotics by healthcare professionals. Even with the many advances in the world today when it comes to antibiotics and treating infections, antibiotic resistant diseases are on
commonly used surfaces, not sharing personal items and handling and preparing food safely. Additionally, taking care of stress and psychological conditions, exercising regularly, and getting proper rest and nutrition are all priorities to improve general health. A fever is usually self-limiting but can be reduced through minimal clothing and bedding, using over-the-counter antipyretic medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Dehydration can be corrected through adequate intake of fluids. A
The Affordable Care Act created the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which is the nation’s first mandatory funding system dedicated to improving the nation’s public health system. The fund works to “Provide expanded and sustained national investments in prevention and public health, improve health outcomes, and enhance health care quality” (U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2017). The Prevention and Public Health Fund allocates funds to different agencies, such as the Administration for
Every day millions of people enter some type of health care facility seeking medical treatment. They go to these places because they trust the physicians, nurses, and all other medical personnel are there to provide them with adequate, quality care with hopes that they will be discharged in a healthier state. Inadvertently, each day millions of people entering these facilities and experiencing more complications than expected due to some type of medical error. Medical errors are becoming more and
Every day, millions of people enter some type of health care facility seeking medical treatment. They go to these places because they trust the physicians, nurses, and all other medical personnel are there to provide them with adequate, quality care with hopes that they will be discharged in a healthier state. Inadvertently, each day millions of people entering these facilities and experiencing more complications than expected due to some type of medical error. Medical errors are becoming more and