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Nov. 12-18 is U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. The week is part of the Centers for Disease Control's efforts to improve antibiotic prescribing and use among health care facilities, physicians and farms.
As stewards of CDC's mission, Lurie Children's encourages and promotes proper use of antibiotics. Dr. Sameer Patel, MD, infectious diseases, says, "Lurie Children's provides resources to doctors, pharmacists, nurses and families to use antibiotics judiciously.Our goal is to promptly give the right antibiotic to our patients who need them while avoiding overuse."
An antibiotic is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. However, antibiotic misuse occurs when the infection is caused when infections are unlikely to occur.
"Antibiotic misuse can lead to an increase in antibiotic resistance," Patel says. "If your body has an infection, it has a typical antibiotic that can not effectively fight the infection because the bacteria has become resistant to it."
As a parent or caregiver, how can you ensure that your child is being prescribed an antibiotic appropriately?
"Every child's medical problems are unique," says Tonya Scardina, Pharm.D., Antimicrobial pharmacy stewardship coordinator at Lurie Children's. "Parents are encouraged to ask why antibiotics are prescribed, if antibiotics are really needed and potential side effects if prescribed."
In addition, Patel and Scardina encourages parents and caregivers to buy meat and poultry when antibiotics are possible.
"Approximately 70 percent of antibiotics used in the United States are used on farms." These antibiotics are often given to livestock and are not sick in order to promote growth, "Patel says. "Antibiotic overuse in animals spread through meat, soil and water."
It's important that when used appropriately antibiotics can save lives. Healthcare providers recommend the best way to prevent spreading germs Patel and Scardina urge everyone to be good stewards of antibiotics. More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/drugresistance.
• Children's health is a continuing series. This week's article is courtesy of Lurie Children's Hospital. For additional information, visit luriechildrens.org.
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