Every year is the same, with the arrival of cold, increased colds, flu and other respiratory problems. However, despite the cadence, it seems that neither doctors nor patients are clear when or why antibiotics should be used. A study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, notes that too many doctors still prescribing these drugs in cases unnecessary and that a support program to remember in what cases should prescribe these medications help to both specialists citizens to know that under certain conditions such as acute bronchitis, the best thing is water and a painkiller.
Taking antibiotics when not needed is an unnecessary addition, a significant risk. On the one hand, is the occurrence of side effects like diarrhea (for destroying bacterial flora) or fungi and other super bugs increased resistance to these drugs create and make it difficult healing of certain diseases. Spain is among the European countries with the highest consumption of antibiotics and, therefore, higher percentage of resistant bacterial strains , according to the Ministry of Health.
Therefore, any initiative to reduce the misuse of drugs is welcome. Ralph Gonzales, MD, University of California (San Francisco), has conducted a study which analyzed and compared the effectiveness of two methods to try to reduce the prescription of antibiotics in people with acute bronchitis, an infection of the lower respiratory tract - for which are not indicated.
Thus, 33 primary care centers were randomly assigned to three groups: one was the control, another was given to doctors and patients information leaflets on the indications of antibiotics and the third contained information and an alert system to remember this information.Then we compared antibiotic prescribing for acute bronchitis in all centers and with rates three previous winter periods.
What I could see was that the number of antibiotic prescriptions in the first group increased by 1%, while it decreased by 12% in the second and 13% in the third group. "When joining these methods to other educational materials for physicians and patients, both print and digital brochures can make improvements , "say the authors in their study.
Taking antibiotics when not needed is an unnecessary addition, a significant risk. On the one hand, is the occurrence of side effects like diarrhea (for destroying bacterial flora) or fungi and other super bugs increased resistance to these drugs create and make it difficult healing of certain diseases. Spain is among the European countries with the highest consumption of antibiotics and, therefore, higher percentage of resistant bacterial strains , according to the Ministry of Health.
Therefore, any initiative to reduce the misuse of drugs is welcome. Ralph Gonzales, MD, University of California (San Francisco), has conducted a study which analyzed and compared the effectiveness of two methods to try to reduce the prescription of antibiotics in people with acute bronchitis, an infection of the lower respiratory tract - for which are not indicated.
Thus, 33 primary care centers were randomly assigned to three groups: one was the control, another was given to doctors and patients information leaflets on the indications of antibiotics and the third contained information and an alert system to remember this information.Then we compared antibiotic prescribing for acute bronchitis in all centers and with rates three previous winter periods.
What I could see was that the number of antibiotic prescriptions in the first group increased by 1%, while it decreased by 12% in the second and 13% in the third group. "When joining these methods to other educational materials for physicians and patients, both print and digital brochures can make improvements , "say the authors in their study.
What symptoms occur and how to treat them
González RodrĂguez explains it best " for common colds, flu or viral acute bronchitis , if the person does not have any other problem, is not given antibiotics. "
These problems are distinguished by their symptoms. In the cold may appear dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and eye irritation. Meanwhile, in addition to presenting flu symptoms mentioned, usually appears high fever, malaise, 'a feeling of beating, and prostration. In contrast, acute bronchitis, which often inflame the trachea and bronchi, cough is deeper, there is seldom found expectoration and fever.
"These problems are caused by viruses always," said the expert. For this reason, antibiotics are not indicated and "should be given symptomatic treatment, ie, an analgesic for discomfort, a natural remedy for cough if required and liquids and juices."
The intake of water or juice is recommended because in winter, when the person remains at home or in an enclosed area, the air is very dry. "It should prevent dryness and hydrate well. Moreover, if we have the stuffy nose, the mouth breathing evaporate more and have more dryness. Water and humidity favor expectoration," says the pulmonologist.
Only an antibiotic should be administered in cases of bronchitis caused by a bacterial infection or pneumonia. "In bacterial bronchitis, whose symptoms are similar to the virus and passing through deep cough and expectoration, the difference is that the sputum changes color changes from white to yellow or green, and is thicker. Perhaps there may also be fever ".
For its part, the pneumonia, which is the most serious respiratory problem, generates high and sustained fever, pain in the side that impairs breathing, chills and shivering. Patients with this problem, which is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma, should receive antibiotics and sometimes even required hospitalization.
However, as noted by the specialist, must be evaluated case by case. "At-risk individuals (with renal, cardiac, etc.) There is more risk of lower respiratory complicated problem and ends in pneumonia. Because, as they say among physicians, the virus opens the door to bacteria " .
González RodrĂguez explains it best " for common colds, flu or viral acute bronchitis , if the person does not have any other problem, is not given antibiotics. "
These problems are distinguished by their symptoms. In the cold may appear dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and eye irritation. Meanwhile, in addition to presenting flu symptoms mentioned, usually appears high fever, malaise, 'a feeling of beating, and prostration. In contrast, acute bronchitis, which often inflame the trachea and bronchi, cough is deeper, there is seldom found expectoration and fever.
"These problems are caused by viruses always," said the expert. For this reason, antibiotics are not indicated and "should be given symptomatic treatment, ie, an analgesic for discomfort, a natural remedy for cough if required and liquids and juices."
The intake of water or juice is recommended because in winter, when the person remains at home or in an enclosed area, the air is very dry. "It should prevent dryness and hydrate well. Moreover, if we have the stuffy nose, the mouth breathing evaporate more and have more dryness. Water and humidity favor expectoration," says the pulmonologist.
Only an antibiotic should be administered in cases of bronchitis caused by a bacterial infection or pneumonia. "In bacterial bronchitis, whose symptoms are similar to the virus and passing through deep cough and expectoration, the difference is that the sputum changes color changes from white to yellow or green, and is thicker. Perhaps there may also be fever ".
For its part, the pneumonia, which is the most serious respiratory problem, generates high and sustained fever, pain in the side that impairs breathing, chills and shivering. Patients with this problem, which is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma, should receive antibiotics and sometimes even required hospitalization.
However, as noted by the specialist, must be evaluated case by case. "At-risk individuals (with renal, cardiac, etc.) There is more risk of lower respiratory complicated problem and ends in pneumonia. Because, as they say among physicians, the virus opens the door to bacteria " .