A general misuse, abuse and overuse of antibiotics by the public is resulting in an increase of a number of bugs which have gradually become resistant to a number of commonly used antibiotics, with a risk of rendering the medicine ineffective.
This newspaper has learnt that MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is one of the bugs which are proving to be more difficult to treat. Even healthy people can be carriers of MRSA and the bug can then be contracted by others without their knowledge. These multidrug resistant organisms increase the morbidity and mortality rate, and increase hospital stays besides being expensive to treat.
Another bug which is developing resistance to antibiotics and which may be even more relevant than MRSA is Streptococcus Pneumonia, explained the Secretary of the National Antibiotic Committee, Peter Zarb, when contacted by The Malta Independent. He pointed out that Streptococcus Pneumonia affects the respiratory system and may cause bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and at times even meningitis.
The most common drug prescribed for Streptococcus meningitis might not be effective. Thus, the second option would be a stronger dose which is more expensive and more toxic, Mr Zarb said.
At times people exert
pressure on doctors to prescribe antibiotics even when the cause is most probably viral, and this cannot be treated by antibiotics.
The inappropriate use of antibiotics has become a serious threat not only to health authorities here but also to public authorities in Europe and worldwide. A European-wide campaign will be held on 18 November to raise awareness on how to use antibiotics in a responsible way that will keep them effective in the future. This activity is to become an annual awareness raising campaign.
The European Antibiotic Awareness Day is an initiative of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) working in close collaboration with EU member state authorities and other relevant representative stakeholder groups such as the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).
In fact, the title “Cold? Flu? Take care, not antibiotics” was developed by ECDC as part of a series of punchy phrases for the campaign.
Keeping antibiotics effective is a priority and responsibility which ECDC believes should be adhered to by all in order to help reverse the growing trend of antimicrobial resistance and keep antibiotics effective for the use of future generations.
The aim of European Antibiotic Awareness Day is to emphasise the importance of taking topical antibiotics in a responsible manner and end the unnecessary use of antibiotics. The public should also be encouraged to follow their doctor’s or dentist’s prescription and instructions given by pharmacists on how to take antibiotics in the appropriate way.