Caribou Mayor Kenneth Murchison on Monday signed into effect a proclamation designating Nov. 14-20, as “Get Smart About Antibiotics Week,” in conjunction with National Antibiotic Week, during which Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services along with other health care providers, hope to continue raising awareness of the inappropriate use of antibiotics, which can result in antibiotic resistance.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Caribou Mayor Kenneth Murchison, center, recently signed into effect a proclamation designating Nov. 14-20, as “Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.” The proclamation, in collaboration with National Antibiotic Week, is to help raise awareness of antibiotic resistance, one of the world’s most pressing public heath problems. Witnessing the Caribou mayor’s signing of the document was, left, Christopher Parent, of Caribou and Erinn Kelley of Mapleton.
According to officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) parents need to aware that antibiotics are not a cure for the cold and flu season. “Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses and colds, flu and most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don’t touch viruses — never have, never will. And it’s not really news. It’s a long-documented medical fact.
According to public opinion research there is a perception that “antibiotics cure everything. “The problem is, taking antibiotics when not needed can result in more harm than good. Widespread inappropriate use of antibiotics is fueling an increase in drug-resistant bacteria. Those who are ill are not the only ones who suffer the consequences. Families and entire communities feel the impact when disease-causing germs become resistant to antibiotics.”
The CDC states, “The most obvious consequence of inappropriate antibiotic use is its effect on the sick patients. When antibiotics are incorrectly used to treat children or adults with viral infections, such as colds and flu, they aren’t getting the best care for their condition. A less obvious consequence of antibiotic overuse is the boost it gives to drug-resistant disease-causing bacteria. Almost every type of bacteria has become strong and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it really is need.”
During “Get Smart About Antibiotics Week” there will be posters and brochures in local schools and grocery stores to heighten awareness of this concern, this information will also be available at Cary Medical Center and in all Pines Health Services locations.
Alternative avenues of treatment for a cold or flu can include increase of fluids, cool mist vaporizers or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion. Viral infections may sometimes lead to bacterial infections and patients should keep their care provider aware if their illness gets worse or lasts a long time.
