Antibiotics – The End of an Era?

At a recent conference in Copenhagen on the topic of infectious disease, Margaret Chan, director of the World Health Organization, warned of the dangers of antibiotics resistance.  The problem is becoming so common, she stated, that it may trigger the “end of modern medicine as we know it”. 

Resistance to antibiotics occurs naturally, but the process is sped up as bacteria are exposed to antibiotics that they can survive.  This is exacerbated by improper use of antibiotics, over-prescribing for conditions like the common cold or the flu, and not following directions on the prescriptions.  The survival mechanism of the bacteria is to develop protection against antibiotics, thus creating antibiotic resistance. 

Antibiotic resistance has been sensationalized in the media as “Super Bugs”, most recently with MRSA becoming a household word.  MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is a drug resistant bacteria that has become extremely common.  The bacteria that was once associated only with nosocomial infections is now found ubiquitously in the community setting. 

Chan discussed the “Post-antibiotic era” of medicine that may be approaching, stating that  "we are losing our first-line antimicrobials. Replacement treatments are more costly, more toxic, need much longer durations of treatment, and may require treatment in intensive care units.”

A number of strong, antibiotic resistant bacteria are already on the radar at most hospitals, with the infectious disease department at each hospital tracking what is common in their hospital, and which antibiotics are effective. 

One of the most commonly cited misuses of antibiotics is prescribing their use for sore throats associated with viral infections.  Because the virus causing the sore throat or cold is not affected by the antibiotics, it does nothing for the symptoms.  Furthermore, it can produce antibiotic-resistant microbes within the body, as they have now been exposed to the antibiotic. 

Podiatric physicians see the misuse of antibiotics in patients with ulcers and open wounds on their feet, ankles, and legs.  It is common practice for a physician unfamiliar with woundcare to prescribe antibiotics, even when the wound is uninfected.  However, this goes directly against the principles laid out by the Infectious Disease Society of America, in their guidelines for treating diabetic foot ulcers. 

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics is cited as the cause of antibiotics-resistant organisms, the practice of using antibiotics is difficult to get away from.  Antibiotics being manufactured today are stronger, and often more targeted towards certain organisms.  However, they can also cause more damage to the healthy tissues of the body, and that is what Chan and other doctors are so concerned with.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC 
101 6th Street N.W. 
Winter Haven, FL 33881 
Phone: 863-299-4551 
www.FLFootandAnkle.com