RIDOH, CDC Urging Rhode Islanders to Be Antibiotics Aware
Twitter: MRandallABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)— When you bring your family to the doctor you shouldn’t always expect to leave with a prescription for antibiotics. In fact, there’s a new push to make sure people aren’t over using this type of medication which treats certain infections caused by bacteria.
“When someone takes the time out of their day to go to the doctor, they want to walk out with a prescription that is going to make them feel better. But antibiotics are not always the answer. In fact, they can sometimes make things even worse,” said Dr. Rebecca Reece, a Medical Consultant to Rhode Island Department of Health’s Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Diseases, and Emergency Medical Services. “By taking antibiotics when doing so is not appropriate, a person puts themselves at risk for serious side effects while also undermining our ability to use antibiotics as a life-saving tool for future generations.”
In Rhode Island, work to ensure the responsible, appropriate use of antibiotics is being led by the Rhode Island Antimicrobial Stewardship and Environmental Cleaning Task Force. The big concern is that over use will lead to bacteria no longer responding to treatment. One common example they point to deals with sore throats.
“About 50 percent of the strep in RI is resistant to ZPak so it’s kind of a flip of a coin over whether the ZPak is even going to work,” explained Kerry LaPlante, Pharm D. FCCP, a Professor at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy.
“Improving the ways we prescribe and take antibiotics can help keep us healthy now, help fight antibiotic resistance, and ensure that life-saving antibiotics will be available for the future,” said Dr. LaPlante. “Patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare facility administrators all have a role to play in making Rhode Island antibiotics aware!”
Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people get infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. At least 23,000 people die as a result.
© WLNE-TV 2018
