Written by Brian Bochicchio, SIU School of Medicine
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week is November 17 – 23. You might be wondering, “What’s there to get smart about?” Actually, more than you might realize.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics each year. More than 23,000 of them die as a direct result of these infections, while others die from conditions that are complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection. Fewer than 5,000 people have died from Ebola this year based on the most recent statistics. For perspective, the resistant bacteria kill more than four-times as many people than Ebola.
So, what is antibiotic resistance? A common misconception is that people develop a resistance to an antibiotic, making it less effective at destroying the bacteria. Actually, it’s the other way around. Bacteria and other microbes “learn” through normal biological processes to resist the effects of antibiotic drugs, chemicals or other agents. We humans then share these resistant microbes and create what are referred to as super bugs.
Can the effects of antibiotic resistance be reversed or stopped? No, antibiotic resistance is the result of a natural process. The process can be slowed, effectively extending the usefulness of current antibiotics. The CDC has published recommendations on how everyone can help combat antibiotic resistance.
How can patients prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and infections? Patients can prevent infections and the spread of drug resistant bacteria by following a few simple instructions:
– Schedule the appropriate immunizations.
– Practice safe food preparation.
– Practice proper hand washing.
– Use antibiotics as directed and only when necessary. For example, antibiotics should be used to treat strep throat, but they should not be used to treat a cold or the flu.  
– Don’t pressure your doctor into prescribing an unnecessary antibiotic.
What can medical professionals do to slow the spread of antibiotic resistant infections? Health care providers should prescribe antibiotics only when needed, choose the appropriate one and administer them properly in every case.  In conjunction with provider efforts, all medical professionals should work together to track resistance patterns and develop new drugs and diagnostic tests to be prepared for when our current antibiotics are no longer effective.
What is being done in central and southern Illinois to increase awareness of this urgent health matter?  Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is sponsoring the Downstate Illinois Partnership Against Antibiotic Resistance (DIPAAR). The partnership is comprised of health care providers across central and southern Illinois and covers the majority of Illinois’ 102 counties. The partnership recently launched a new website aimed at preventing further antibiotic resistance and educating patients and providers about the dangers of drug resistant bacteria.
DIPAAR’s primary activities include tracking and reporting resistance patterns in our region. Additionally, it will make recommendations to help safeguard antibiotics and educate the community on safe and appropriate use.
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