Antibiotic tag Dangers of resistant germs

Antibiotic-resistant germs are spreading more and more

18/11/2014

Antibiotics are still considered an all-purpose weapon against bacterial infections. Especially children, the drugs are often prescribed by doctors. Experts point out on the occasion of the European Antibiotic Day on 18 November that this is accompanied by dangers. Thus, antibiotic-resistant germs continue to spread. While a few years ago mainly gram-positive pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were the focus, gram-negative multidrug-resistant infectious agents have become a problem, among other groups of antibiotics against all ß-lactam antibiotics Resistances have developed, as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) communicates.

In kindergarten age, antibiotics are prescribed very often
Doctors are increasingly called upon to be more cautious in prescribing antibiotics. According to experts, broad-spectrum antibiotics are often prescribed in hospitals and medical practices that are effective against a variety of pathogens, although in many cases basic antibiotics would have been sufficient. Broad-spectrum antibiotics favor the development of resistance of many pathogens simultaneously.

According to a representative Forsa survey commissioned by the health insurance DAK-Gesundheit, most antibiotics are prescribed to children of kindergarten age. 41 percent of four- to six-year-olds received antibiotics last year. For comparison: in the whole age group from 0 to 18 years that only amounted to almost 30 percent. According to the survey, 37 percent of four- to six-year-old antibiotics were prescribed for bronchitis, 29 percent for otitis and 27 percent for influenza (colds). However, according to experts, antibiotics are indicated only in exceptional cases in these complaints. Maybe also the attitude of the parents plays a role. So be it the online edition of „Doctors newspaper“ It is normal for children to go through up to ten infections a year each year and usually survive these within a few days without complications. An antibiotic would not be necessary then.

New antibiotics against resistant germs
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies continue to research new antibiotics that are ideally effective in multidrug-resistant bacteria. Four drugs were launched this year, according to the Association of Research-Based Drug Manufacturers (vfa): two antibiotics against the hospital germ MRSA and two against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Three more drugs are already in the approval process and 15 more in phase III studies.

„However, new antibiotics can not be supplied at will ", explains vfa chief executive Birgit Fischer. „Therefore, it is equally important to avoid the formation and spread of further drug resistance as much as possible. But that requires cooperation from many stakeholders, including physicians, basic researchers, pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, and politics. "

Pharmacies clarify the correct use of antibiotics
On the occasion of the antibiotic day, the ABDA - Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations points out the importance of the correct intake of antibiotics. „By using antibiotics responsibly, resistance can be avoided. Every patient is responsible for ensuring that antibiotics remain effective“, explains Karin Graf, Member of the Executive Board of ABDA. „The pharmacies therefore clarify the correct use of antibiotics.“

According to the main association, patients should only take antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor and strictly follow the doctor's instructions regarding dosage and duration of therapy. „Antibiotics should be disposed of with household waste, but not over the toilet or sink. The disposal of antibiotics via the wastewater spreads the substances into the environment and thus promotes the development of resistance“, it says in a statement of the ABDA. In some pharmacies drug remnants can also be disposed of for free. (Ag)