The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) "Be Antibiotics Aware" campaign carries a message that healthcare professionals and patients alike need to understand: Antibiotics can save lives, but they aren't always the answer.
The scope of the problem
In the U.S., more than 2.8 million drug-resistant infections occur each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result, according to the CDC. When Clostridioides difficile infections are included, that death toll jumps to 48,000 annually. These staggering numbers underscore why appropriate antibiotic use matters for everyone.
Drug resistance happens when bacteria and fungi can defeat the drugs that are designed to kill them. Using antibiotics judiciously helps keep us healthy now, fights drug resistance, and ensures that these life-saving medicines are available for future generations.
What everyone needs to know
The CDC's campaign emphasizes several critical facts. First, antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses, including respiratory illnesses such as the common cold or a chest cold. For individuals, this means that demanding antibiotics for a cold or flu won't help you recover faster and can actually cause harm.
Second, even for bacterial infections, antibiotics aren't always necessary. Some bacterial infections, such as many sinus infections and some ear infections, can improve without antibiotics. Your body's immune system is often capable of fighting off these infections without antibiotics.
Additionally, any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and contribute to drug resistance. These side effects range from minor issues to serious conditions like C. diff infection, which requires immediate treatment.
The penicillin allergy myth
One surprising finding from the CDC concerns penicillin allergies. Among patients who think they have a penicillin allergy, only 1 in 10 has a true penicillin allergy when evaluated. This misconception leads to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that can be associated with higher costs, suboptimal treatment, and increased antimicrobial resistance.
If you or a family member may have a penicillin allergy, the CDC recommends talking to a healthcare professional to assess whether you're truly allergic. This simple step could improve your treatment options significantly.
Guidance for healthcare professionals
The CDC provides specific recommendations for healthcare professionals across all settings. When prescribing an antibiotic, optimize selection and use the shortest effective duration of therapy. Each additional day a patient takes antibiotics increases their risk for adverse events.
Healthcare professionals should also talk to patients about common and serious side effects, avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing, and ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when truly needed. In dental settings specifically, providers should avoid prescribing clindamycin when alternatives are available, as it may cause more frequent and severe adverse events compared to other antibiotics.
Prevention is key
Getting the recommended vaccines is one of the best ways to keep yourself and others healthy. Vaccines help prevent infections, reduce the need for antibiotics, and fight drug resistance. Simple prevention measures like keeping cuts clean and covered, practicing good handwashing, and staying up to date on vaccinations can significantly reduce one's infection risk.
The "Be Antibiotics Aware" campaign represents a crucial public health effort to protect both current and future generations from the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. By understanding when antibiotics are truly needed and using them appropriately, everyone can play a role in preserving these life-saving medicines for when they matter most.
Editor's note: The Association for Dental Safety (ADS) has issued an antibiotic stewardship statement: "For the past four years, ADS has been at the forefront of promoting antibiotic stewardship in the oral healthcare space," said Michelle Lee, executive director of ADS. "Through our national Antibiotic Stewardship Summits and the development of practical, chairside education tools and resources, we have empowered dental professionals to make informed prescribing decisions for their patients and the public at large. The responsibility of dental professionals extends beyond individual patient care -- we must work together to confront the threat of antimicrobial resistance."
