Fast determination of antibiotics in whole blood.

Oct 2012

Chen Q, Andersson A, Mecklenburg M, Xie B.

Source

Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.

Abstract

There is a need for analytical methods capable of monitoring blood antibiotic levels in real time. Here we present a method for quantifying antibiotic levels in whole blood that does not require any sample pretreatment. The tests employ the enzyme penicillinase to assay for penicillin G, penicillin V and ampicillin using a flow-injected biosensor, the Enzyme Thermistor. Optimal flow rates, sample volumes and pH were determined to be 0.5 mL/min, 100 μL and 7.0, respectively. Analysis of the antibiotics diluted in buffer gave a linear range of 0.17-5.0 mM. Calibration curves prepared using blood spiked with the antibiotics gave a linear range of 0.17-2.0 mM. Linear regression values for all of the calibration curves were 0.998 or higher. Assay cycle time was 5 min. The relative standard deviation value for 100 determinations of a mock blood sample spiked with penicillin G was 6.71%. Despite the elimination of sample pretreatment, no detectable clogging or signal drift was observed. The assay provides a fast, simple, reliable analytical method for determining antibiotic concentrations in blood without the need for any sample pretreatment. This is an important first step towards developing a device capable of real-time monitoring of antibiotic levels in whole blood. The technology has the potential to significantly improve the outcomes of patients undergoing critical care.

PubMed

Efficacy of clarithromycin on biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Nov 2012

Dicicco M, Neethirajan S, Singh A, Weese JS.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) caused by biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) have emerged as the most common hospital-acquired infections in companion animals. No methods currently exist for the therapeutic remediation of SSIs caused by MRSP in biofilms. Clarithromycin (CLA) has been shown to prevent biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. This study aims to assess the in vitro activity of CLA in eradicating MRSP biofilm formation on various materials.

RESULTS:

Quantitative assay results (P = 0.5126) suggest that CLA does not eradicate MRSP biofilm formation on polystyrene after 4 -- 24 h growth periods. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed that CLA did not eradicate MRSP biofilm formed on orthopaedic implants.

CONCLUSIONS:

By determining the in vitro characteristics and activities of MRSP isolates alone and against antibiotics, in vitro models of biofilm related infections can be made. In vitro data suggests that CLA does not effectively eradicate S. pseudintermedius biofilms in therapeutic doses.

PubMed

Role of procalcitonin in guiding antibiotic therapy.

Dec 2012

Fazili T, Endy T, Javaid W, Maskey M.

Abstract

Purpose The role of procalcitonin in guiding antibiotic therapy is reviewed. Summary Procalcitonin is a prohormone for calcitonin, which is secreted by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. The biological activity of procalcitonin is significantly different from calcitonin and is believed to be part of the complex inflammatory cascade of the immune system. Procalcitonin has been shown to be elevated in bacterial infections but not in viral infections or other inflammatory conditions. The first published study that suggested that procalcitonin levels increased in the presence of bacterial infection was conducted in France in the early 1990s. Numerous studies have been conducted using procalcitonin-guided therapy to reduce antibiotic use. These studies were performed in one of three clinical settings: outpatient primary care (two multicenter, noninferiority studies of patients with upper- and lower-respiratory-tract infections), emergency room and inpatient (five studies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, exacerbation, bronchitis, or community-acquired pneumonia), and the intensive care unit (ICU) (two studies in medical ICU patients and two in postoperative ICU patients with infection or sepsis). Based on the findings of these studies, a cutoff value of 0.25 μg/L in non-ICU patients or of 0.5 μg/L in ICU patients seems appropriate for making a decision about the initiation and discontinuation of antibiotic therapy. In patients with a significantly elevated baseline procalcitonin level, a subsequent drop of >80% appears to be reasonable for discontinuing antibiotics. Conclusion Published evidence supports the use of procalcitonin as a biomarker of bacterial infection that can be used to reduce antibiotic exposure.

PubMed

Antibiotic prophylaxis in third molar surgery: a review.

Dec 2012

Oomens MA, Forouzanfar T.

Source

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center/Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

 Controversy exists about the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing complications after lower third molar surgery. For evidence-based recommendation, a review was performed on clinical trials reporting the use of antibiotic prophylaxis compared with no treatment or placebo with "infection" as outcome.

STUDY DESIGN:

 Useful studies were identified using Embase, Cochrane, and Ovid Medline (1966-January 2011) and references in retrieved reports and review articles. Twenty-three eligible studies were identified and reviewed by independent investigators using 2 quality assessment scales.

RESULTS:

 The review procedure revealed 15 "low-quality" and 8 "high-quality" articles, with major differences in treatment modalities and heterogeneity of design.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is limited evidence supporting the efficacy of commonly used antibiotics in preventing complications after lower third molar removal. Well designed and well reported high-quality randomized trials considering known risk factors and taking clinical outcomes into account are needed to reach final consensus on the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis to allow evidence-based recommendations.

PubMed

Role of antibiotics in generalized aggressive periodontitis: A review of clinical trials in humans.

2012

Ahuja A, Baiju CS, Ahuja V.

Source

Department of Periodontics, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, India.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

It is well-recognized fact that periodontal diseases are caused by multifactorial etiologies, in which microorganisms play an important role. An essential component of therapy is to eliminate or manage these pathogens. This has been traditionally accomplished through mechanical means by scaling and root planning which is ineffective in some of the aggressive periodontal diseases. These aggressive diseases involve particular groups of microorganisms which are not eliminated by mechanical means; and they require anti-infective therapy, which includes local and systemic antimicrobials. This approach of therapy is of interest to periodontist due to the aforementioned shortcomings of conventional methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A manual and electronic search was made for human studies up to March 2011 that presented clinical and microbiological data for the efficacy of a systemic antibiotics in generalized aggressive periodontitis along with scaling and root planning. A systematic approach was followed by two independent reviewers and included eligibility criteria for study inclusion, quality assessment, and determination of outcome measures, data extraction, data synthesis, and drawing of conclusion.

RESULTS:

 Only three randomized controlled human trials qualified, and they concluded that both scaling and root planing (SRP) mono-therapy and SRP with antibiotics proves beneficial in improving clinical and microbiological parameters in aggressive periodontitis. Better results were seen in SRP with antibiotic groups as compared with SRP alone.

CONCLUSION:

 Because of the insufficient quantity and heterogenecity of studies, no adequate evidence could be gathered to use the beneficial effects of these antibiotics along with SRP in aggressive periodontitis compared with SRP alone.

PubMed

Early Antibiotics Improve Survival Following Out-Of Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Nov 2012

Davies KJ, Walters JH, Kerslake ID, Greenwood R, Thomas MJ.

Source

Speciality Registrar and Consultant, Intensive Care Unit; Senior Statistician, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK. Electronic address: drkjdavies@gmail.com.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has become standard management following out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Recent evidence suggests TH increases the incidence of pneumonia. We retrospectively assessed infective indicators after OHCA and evaluated the effect of antibiotics on survival.

METHOD:

We identified all patients admitted to the ICU of a regional primary angioplasty hospital following OHCA from May 2007 to December 2010. We collected demographic and outcome data, evidence of infection and the use of antimicrobial therapy 

RESULTS: 138 patients were admitted to ICU following OHCA. The mortality rate was 68.1% with mean ICNARC predicted mortality of 77.5%. Of 138 patients, 135 (97.8%) had at least one positive marker of infection within 72hours. 53 of 138 patients (38.4%) received antibiotics during the first 7 days of their ICU stay. The hospital mortality rate for these patients was significantly less than those not receiving antibiotics (56.6% vs. 75.3%; p=0.025) with NNT of 5. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that antibiotic use was an independent predictor of survival.

CONCLUSION:

The post-arrest management of OHCA is commonly complicated by infections, the accurate diagnosis of which is impaired by the associated increase in inflammatory markers, body temperature control, delay in the processing of samples and poor quality chest radiography. We have shown a significant reduction in mortality in patients who received antibiotics compared with patients who did not. This suggests that a formal clinical trial is warranted.

PubMed

Antimicrobials for treating symptomatic non-typhoidal Salmonella infection.

Nov 2012

Onwuezobe IA, Oshun PO, Odigwe CC.

Source

Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, 1136.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) commonly causes diarrhoea, and is usually self-limiting, although sometimes people become ill with sepsis and dehydration. Routine antibiotic use for this infection could result in persistent colonization and the spread of resistant bacterial strains.

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the efficacy and safety of giving antibiotics to people with NTS diarrhoea.

SEARCH METHODS:

We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register (up to August 2012), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL) published in The Cochrane Library (up to Issue 8 2012); and MEDLINE, African Index Medicus, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, and the Science Citation Index, all up to 6 August 2012. We also searched the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) for both completed and on going trials and reference lists of relevant articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any antibiotic treatment for diarrhoea caused by NTS species with placebo or no antibiotic treatment. We selected trials that included people of all ages who were symptomatic for NTS infection. Examples of symptoms included fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. We excluded trials where the outcomes were not reported separately for the NTS subgroup of patients. Two review authors independently applied eligibility criteria prior to study inclusion.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

Two review authors independently extracted data on pre-specified outcomes and independently assessed the risk of bias of included studies. The primary outcome was the presence of diarrhoea between two to four days after treatment. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE methods.

MAIN RESULTS:

Twelve trials involving 767 participants were included. No differences were detected between the antibiotic and placebo/no treatment arms for people with diarrhoea at two to four days after treatment (risk ratio (RR) 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42 to 7.21; one trial, 46 participants; very low quality evidence). No difference was detected for the presence of diarrhoea at five to seven days after treatment (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.12; two trials, 192 participants; very low quality evidence), clinical failure (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.25; seven trials, 440 participants; very low quality evidence). The mean difference for diarrhoea was 0 days (95% CI -0.54 to 0.54; 202 participants, four studies; low quality evidence);for fever was 0.27 days (95% CI -0.11 to 0.65; 107 participants, two studies; very low quality evidence); and for duration of illness was 0 days (95% CI -0.68 to 0.68; 116 participants, two studies; very low quality evidence). Quinolone antibiotic treatment resulted in a significantly higher number of negative stool cultures for NTS during the first week of treatment (microbiological failure: RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.56; 166 participants, four trials).Antibiotic treatment meant passage of the same Salmonella serovar one month after treatment was almost twice as likely (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.98; 112 participants, three trials), which was statistically significant. Non-severe adverse drug reactions were more common among the patients who received antibiotic treatment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

There is no evidence of benefit for antibiotics in NTS diarrhoea in otherwise healthy people. We are uncertain of the effects in very young people, very old people, and in people with severe and extraintestinal disease. A slightly higher number of adverse events were noted in people who received antibiotic treatment for NTS.

PubMed

Macrolide antibiotics for cystic fibrosis.

Nov 2012

Southern KW, Barker PM, Solis-Moya A, Patel L.

Source

Institute of Child Health, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK, L12 2AP.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Macrolide antibiotics may have a modifying role in diseases which involve airway infection and inflammation, like cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES:

To test the hypotheses that, in people with cystic fibrosis, macrolide antibiotics: 1. improve clinical status compared to placebo or another antibiotic; 2. do not have unacceptable adverse effects. If benefit was demonstrated, we aimed to assess the optimal type, dose and duration of macrolide therapy.

SEARCH METHODS:

We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearching relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.We contacted investigators known to work in the field, previous authors and pharmaceutical companies manufacturing macrolide antibiotics for unpublished or follow-up data (May 2010).Latest search of the Group's Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register: 29 February 2012.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Randomised controlled trials of macrolide antibiotics compared to: placebo; another class of antibiotic; another macrolide antibiotic; or the same macrolide antibiotic at a different dose.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

Two authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Seven groups were contacted and provided additional data which were incorporated into the review.

MAIN RESULTS:

Ten of 31 studies identified were included (959 patients). Five studies with a low risk of bias examined azithromycin versus placebo and demonstrated consistent improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second over six months (mean difference at six months 3.97% (95% confidence interval 1.74% to 6.19%; n = 549, from four studies)). Patients treated with azithromycin were approximately twice as likely to be free of pulmonary exacerbation at six months, odds ratio 1.96 (95% confidence interval 1.15 to 3.33). With respect to secondary outcomes, there was a significant reduction in need for oral antibiotics and greater weight gain in those taking azithromycin. Adverse events were uncommon and not obviously associated with azithromycin, although a once-weekly high dose regimen was associated with more frequent gastrointestinal adverse events. Treatment with azithromycin was associated with reduced identification of Staphylococcus aureus on respiratory culture, but also a significant increase in macrolide resistance.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

This review provides evidence of improved respiratory function after six months of azithromycin. Data beyond six months were less clear, although reduction in pulmonary exacerbation was sustained. Treatment appeared safe over a six-month period; however, emergence of macrolide resistance was a concern. A multi-centre trial examining long-term effects of this antibiotic treatment is needed, especially for infants recognised through newborn screening.

PubMed

Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions.

Nov 2012

Lodi G, Figini L, Sardella A, Carrassi A, Del Fabbro M, Furness S.

Source

Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Beldiletto 1/3, Milan, Italy, 20142.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The most frequent indications for tooth extractions are dental caries and periodontal infections, and these extractions are generally done by general dental practitioners. Antibiotics may be prescribed to patients undergoing extractions to prevent complications due to infection.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on the development of infectious complications following tooth extractions.

SEARCH METHODS:

The following electronic databases were searched: the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (to 25 January 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 1), MEDLINE via OVID (1948 to 25 January 2012), EMBASE via OVID (1980 to 25 January 2012) and LILACS via BIREME (1982 to 25 January 2012). There were no restrictions regarding language or date of publication.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

We included randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trials of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing tooth extraction(s) for any indication.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

Two review authors independently assessed risk of bias for the included studies and extracted data. We contacted trial authors for further details where these were unclear. For dichotomous outcomes we calculated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects models. For continuous outcomes we used mean differences (MD) with 95% CI using random-effects models. We examined potential sources of heterogeneity. The quality of the body of evidence has been assessed using the GRADE tool.

MAIN RESULTS:

This review included 18 double-blind placebo-controlled trials with a total of 2456 participants. Five trials were assessed at unclear risk of bias, thirteen at high risk, and none at low risk of bias. Compared to placebo, antibioticsprobably reduce the risk of infection in patients undergoing third molar extraction(s) by approximately 70% (RR 0.29 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.50) P < 0.0001, 1523 participants, moderate quality evidence) which means that 12 people (range 10-17) need to be treated with antibiotics to prevent one infection following extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. There is evidence thatantibiotics may reduce the risk of dry socket by 38% (RR 0.62 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.95) P = 0.03, 1429 participants, moderate quality evidence) which means that 38 people (range 24-250) need to take antibiotics to prevent one case of dry socket following extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. There is also some evidence that patients who have prophylactic antibioticsmay have less pain (MD -8.17 (95% CI -11.90 to -4.45) P < 0.0001, 372 participants, moderate quality evidence ) overall 7 days after the extraction compared to those receiving placebo, which may be a direct result of the lower risk of infection. There is no evidence of a difference between antibiotics and placebo in the outcomes of fever (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.99), swelling (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.30) or trismus (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.71) 7 days after tooth extraction.Antibioticsare associated with an increase in generally mild and transient adverse effects compared to placebo (RR 1.98 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.59) P = 0.02) which means that for every 21 people (range 8-200) who receive antibiotics, an adverse effect is likely.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

Although general dentists perform dental extractions because of severe dental caries or periodontal infection, there were no trials identified which evaluated the role of antibiotic prophylaxis in this group of patients in this setting. All of the trials included in this review included healthy patients undergoing extraction of impacted third molars, often performed by oral surgeons. There is evidence that prophylactic antibiotics reduce the risk of infection, dry socket and pain following third molar extraction and result in an increase in mild and transient adverse effects. It is unclear whether the evidence in this review is generalisable to those with concomitant illnesses or immunodeficiency, or those undergoing the extraction of teeth due to severe caries or periodontitis. However, patients at a higher risk of infection are more likely to benefit from prophylactic antibiotics, because infections in this group are likely to be more frequent, associated with complications and be more difficult to treat. Due to the increasing prevalence of bacteria which are resistant to treatment by currently available antibiotics, clinicians should consider carefully whether treating 12 healthy patients with antibiotics to prevent one infection is likely to do more harm than good.

Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Nov 2012

Shabanzadeh DM, Wille-Jørgensen P.

Source

Department of Surgical Gastroenterology K, Bispebjerg Hospital, 23, Bispebjerg Bakke, Copenhagen NV, Denmark, DK 2400 NV.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Diverticulitis is an inflammatory complication to the very common condition diverticulosis. Uncomplicated diverticulitis has traditionally been treated with antibiotics with reference to the microbiology, extrapolation from trials on complicated intra-abdominal infections and clinical experience.

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the effects of antibiotic interventions for uncomplicated diverticulitis on relevant outcome.

SEARCH METHODS:

Studies were identified by computerised searches of the The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE. Ongoing trials were identified and reference lists of identified trials and relevant review articles were screened for additional studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

 RCTs including all types of patients with a radiological confirmed diagnosis of left-sided uncomplicated diverticulitis. Interventions of antibiotics compared to any other antibiotic treatment (different regime, route of administration, dosage or duration of treatment), placebo or no antibiotics. Outcome measures were complications, emergency surgery, recurrence, late complications and duration of hospital stay and recovery of signs of infection.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

Two authors performed the searches, identification of RCTs, trial assessment and data extraction. Disagreements were resolved by discussion or involvement of a third part. Authors of trials were contacted to obtain additional data if needed or were contacted for preliminary results of ongoing trials. Effect estimates were extracted as relative risks (RR).

MAIN RESULTS:

Three RCTs were identified. A qualitative approach with no meta analysis was performed because of variety in interventions between included studies. Interventions compared were antibiotics to no antibiotics, single to double compound antibiotic therapy and short to long IV administration. None of the studies found significant difference between the tested interventions. Risk of bias varied from low to high. The newest RCT overall had the best quality and statistical power.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

The newest evidence from one RCT says there is no significant difference between antibioticsversus no antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis. Previous RCTs have only suggested a non-inferiority between different antibiotic regimes and treatment lengths. This new evidence needs confirmation from more RCTs before it can be implicated safely in clinical guidelines. Ongoing RCTs will be published in the years to come and more are needed. The role of antibiotics in the treatment of complicated diverticulitis has not been investigated yet.

PubMed

Scientists Discover New Way for Antibiotic Resistance to Spread

Washington State University researchers have found an unlikely recipe for antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Mix cow dung and soil, and add urine infused with metabolized antibiotic. The urine will kill off normal E. coli in the dung-soil mixture. But antibiotic-resistant E. coli will survive in the soil to recolonize in a cow's gut through pasture, forage or bedding.

"I was surprised at how well this works, but it was not a surprise that it could be happening," says Doug Call, a molecular epidemiologist in WSU's Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health. Call led the research with an immunology and infectious disease PhD student, Murugan Subbiah, now a post-doctoral researcher at Texas A & M. Their study appears in a recent issue of the online journal PLOS ONE.

While antibiotics have dramatically reduced infections in the past 70 years, their widespread and often indiscriminate use has led to the natural selection of drug-resistant microbes. People infected with the organisms have a harder time getting well, with longer hospital stays and a greater likelihood of death.

Animals are a major source of resistant bugs, receiving the bulk of antibiotics sold in the U.S.

The scientists focused on the antibiotic ceftiofur, a cephalosporin believed to be helping drive the proliferation of resistance in bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. Ceftiofur has little impact on gut bacteria, says Call. "Given that about 70 percent of the drug is excreted in the urine, this was about the only pathway through which it could exert such a large effect on bacterial populations that can reside in both the gut and the environment," he says.

Until now, conventional thinking held that antibiotic resistance is developed inside the animal, Call says.

"If our work turns out to be broadly applicable, it means that selection for resistance to important drugs like ceftiofur occurs mostly outside of the animals," he says. "This in turn means that it may be possible to develop engineered solutions to interrupt this process. In doing so we would limit the likelihood that antibiotic resistant bacteria will get back to the animals and thereby have a new approach to preserve the utility of these important drugs."

One possible solution would be to find a way to isolate and dispose of residual antibiotic after it is excreted from an animal but before it interacts with soil bacteria.

The WSU experiments were performed in labs using materials from dairy calves. Researchers must now see if the same phenomenon takes place in actual food-animal production systems.

Infection Control Today

Antibiotics Aren't Always the Answer

Nov 2012

Antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses like colds, most sore throats and bronchitis, and some ear infections. Unneeded antibiotics may lead to future antibiotic-resistant infections. Symptom relief might be the best treatment option.

Dangers of Antibiotic Resistance

Colds and many other upper respiratory infections, as well as some ear infections, are caused by viruses, not bacteria. If antibiotics are used too often for things they can't treat—like colds or other viral infections—they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you or your child really needs them. Antibiotic resistance—when antibiotics can no longer cure bacterial infections—has been a concern for years and is considered one of the world's most critical public health threats.

CDC efforts have resulted in fewer children receiving unnecessary antibiotics in recent years, but inappropriate use remains a problem. Widespread overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics continues to fuel an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.So the next time you or your child really needs an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, it may not work.

Antibiotic resistance is also an economic burden on the entire healthcare system. Resistant infections cost more to treat and can prolong healthcare use.

If You or Your Child Has a Virus Like a Cold or Sore Throat

Taking antibiotics when you or your child has a virus may do more harm than good. In fact, in children, antibiotics are the most common cause of emergency department visits for adverse drug events. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter products may be your or your child's best treatment option.

Get smart about when antibiotics are appropriate—to fight bacterial infections. Taking them for viral infections, such as a cold, most sore throats, acute bronchitis and many sinus or ear infections:

• Will not cure the infection
• Will not keep other people from getting sick
• Will not help you or your child feel better
• May cause unnecessary and harmful side effects

What Not to Do

• Do not demand antibiotics when a doctor says they are not needed.
• Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or most sore throats.
• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be right for your or your child's illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to increase.

If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic for bacterial infection:

• Do not skip doses.
• Do not save any of the antibiotics for the next time you or your child gets sick.

What to Do

Just because your doctor doesn't give you an antibiotic doesn't mean you aren't sick.

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment for your or your child's illness. To feel better when you or your child has an upper respiratory infection:

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter treatment options that may help reduce symptoms
• Increase fluid intake
• Get plenty of rest
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion
• Soothe a throat with ice chips, sore throat spray, or lozenges (do not give lozenges to young children)

Video: Parents Want To Do What’s Best

When your child is sick, antibiotics may not be the answer. Work with your child's doctor or nurse to learn how you can help your child feel better. CDC created a 30-second TV public service announcement to highlight this important information.

CDC