Theres No Excuse For Overuse

1
Theres No Excuse For Overuse!
WARN is a partnership between the Marshfield
Medical Research Foundation, the Wisconsin
Medical Society, and the Wisconsin Division of
Public Health. Funding is provided by the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
2
Learning Objectives

• Identify the two types of germs that cause upper
  respiratory infections ? Viruses ?
  Bacteria
• Review appropriate use of antibiotics.
• Discuss the growing problem of antibiotic
  resistance.
• Describe strategies to reduce your chances of
  getting sick.

3

• Alexander Fleming, MD

4
Upper Respiratory Infections

• Where?
• Ears, nose, throat, sinuses, and the upper
  parts of your lungs
• Examples
• Colds, flu, sore throats, bronchitis, coughs,
  strep throat, ear infections, and sinus
  infections

5
Kids and the Common Cold

• Children get 3-8 colds per year, more than 10 if
  attending child care.
• A typical cold lasts 10-14 days.
• Normal cold symptoms
• Clear, green, or yellow runny nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever

6
Causes of Upper Respiratory Infections in
Children

• Colds, flu, bronchitis and most sore throats are
  caused by
• VIRUSES
• Strep throat is caused by
• BACTERIA
• Ear infections and sinus infections are caused by
  
• VIRUSES or BACTERIA

7
When Are Antibiotics Needed?
Colds and flu Bronchitis/cough
Most sore throats Viral Infections
Antibiotics DO NOTHING !
Strep throat Bacterial
Infection
YES
8
When Are Antibiotics Needed?

• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Viral OR Bacterial
• Infection

SOMETIMES
Antibiotics WILL NOT work when viruses are the
cause of these infections!!
9
What Are Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria?

• When bacteria are overexposed to
  antibiotics...
• Bacteria can mutate and become resistant to
  antibiotics.

10
Rising Rate of Serious Infections Resistant to
Antibiotics
28
24
21
14
7
Bloodstream and other infections caused by
Streptococcus pneumoniae
11
What Causes This Problem?

• Antibiotics are prescribed for the wrong reasons!

12
Children Often Get Antibiotics for Colds and
Coughs
44
75
13
Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescriptions

• For colds 18.0 million
• For coughs 13.0 million
• For fluid in the ear 7.0 million
• For non-strep sore throats 6.5
  million
• For green or yellow runny noses 6.5 million
• TOTAL 50 million!!

14
Some Parents/Patients Say...

• I cant take any more time off from work.
• The doctor gave my child an antibiotic the last
  time he had this problem.
• Lets try an antibiotic so she doesnt get sick
  later.

15
Some Doctors Say...

• Parents are demanding antibiotics.
• I want my patients to be satisfied with
  their medical care.
• Its faster to write a prescription.

16
What Does This Mean?

• Stronger antibiotics are needed to treat common
  infections.
• Some bacteria are now resistant to almost all
  antibiotics.
• Serious infections may become untreatable in the
  future.
• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be spread from
  person to person.

17
How to Reduce Your Chances of Getting Sick

• Good handwashing--15 seconds!
• Immunizations (childhood, flu, and pneumonia)
• Good health habits

18
If You Get Sick...

• Get extra sleep
• Drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy foods
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed for
  pain or fever
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for other
  suggestions
• Antibiotics will not help for
• viral infections!

19
Take Home Messages
Colds and flu Bronchitis/cough
Most sore throats Viral Infections
Antibiotics DO NOTHING!
Strep throat Bacterial Infection

Antibiotics WORK!
20
Take Home Messages
Antibiotics are needed SOMETIMES

• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Viral OR Bacterial
• Infection

Antibiotics WILL NOT work when viruses are the
cause of these infections!!
21
Take Home Messages

• If we take antibiotics when they are not needed,
  antibiotic-resistant bacteria can develop.
• Antibiotic-resistant infections are more serious
  and harder to treat!

22
Take Home Messages

• Good handwashing
• Up-to-date immunizations
• Practicing good health habits

...will help you stay healthy.
23
Take Home Messages

• If you get sick
• Time
• Get extra sleep
• Drinking fluids
• ...will help you feel better.
• Antibiotics will not help for
• viral infections!

24
For More Information

• Additional information and free educational
  materials can be found at --
• wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/WARN

25
19th Century No antibiotics
20th Century Antibiotics as miracle drugs
21st Century The end of antibiotics?