What should we know about Antibiotics and the deadly Superbug?

Last June 23, a press conference regarding the spread of Superbug was held in Shangri La Edsa to warn the people
about the misuse of Antibiotics and the deadly Superbug. Now, this is quite alarming.

The Philippines' Department of Health released a warning about superbugs in April 2011 and according to a report on the website of Philippine News Daily, Dr. Eric Tayag, head of DOH - National Epidemiology Center (NEC) warned that treatment for a superbug infection will be very difficult, since there is no drug that is effective against it. It would also be difficult to stop it from entering the country due to the great number of travelers from abroad who arrive everyday.

Present on the presscon was Dr. Rontgene Solante, vice president of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases together with Mr. Lyle Joseph A. Morell, Watson's Director - Health Business Unit and Unilab's Atty. Jose Maria Ochave.

















[caption id="attachment_1874" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Dr. Rontgene Solante, a consultant at SLH and vice president of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases"][/caption]

















I myself consider this a very heavy issue to discuss but to make things clear and simple I asked the following questions to Dr. Rontgene Solante,

What should we know about Antibiotics?

Be Aware! Be Educated!

Antibiotics are medicines used to fight infections caused by bacteria are known as antibiotics. They do not work for viral infections like common colds and flu.

It is used to treat various types of infections caused by bacteria such as Respiratory Tract Infections, Gastrointestinal Tract Infections, Genitourinary Tract Infections, Skin and Soft Tissue Infection and other Susceptible Infections.




What is Superbug?

Ito ay isang Mikrobyo na dulot ng isang infection na hindi na tinatablan ng antibiotic. Kung meron mang gamot, napakamahal nito at kung magamot man siya malaki pa rin ang chance ng mortality.

The usual treatment for a person with superbug lasts for a week. But once treated with the right antibiotic it will definitely gone for good.

 

How to prevent and control the escalation of Superbug?

So while an organism develops and will become resistant still with the rampant use of antibiotic not only in the hospital but in the community as well.

Education in terms of prescription, compliance of the antibiotic are key and important measures to help us prevent this resistance.

Kadalasan galing ito sa community acquired infection , wherein most patients will self medicate with antibiotic.




You cannot buy Antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.

So what does Self Medication of Antibiotic means?

Ex. When your doctor prescribed you to buy a complete set. Usually its' for a one week medication. Dahil sa sobrang mahal ng antibiotic, bibili ka lang ng pang ilang araw at hindi mo na itutuloy ang paginom.

That's what we mean by Self Medication with Antibiotic.

That is why Watsons is selling the complete set of Antibiotic called compliance pack for a very affordable price. 60% lesser than the usual.

 

Determining a person infected with Superbug

It is difficult to tell thru symptoms alone, you need to do testing.

 

The existence

You wont know if it's Superbug unless you are in the hospital and the hospital has been able to isolate the organism.

 

Why?

Because most of the superbugs can be present with infections like Pneumonia, Abdominal Infection, Respiratory Tract Infection, even some skin and tissue infection.

The moment they are admitted in the hospital, that's the time the doctor will order for diagnostics test like culture and sensitivity. So it has to be isolated and it will be tested in the laboratory, and we will only know that it's a superbug because based on that test it will come out that the organism is isolated and is resistant to the antibiotic.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540" caption="What we should know about Superbug?"][/caption]

How can we avoid Antibiotic Resistance ?

1. Consult with your healthcare provider for appropriate medication for your illness. Do not Self Medicate.

2. Communicate efficiently to your healthcare provider so that he will have a clear understanding of your symptoms and he can determine what type of antibiotic would be appropriate.

3. Strictly follow prescription medication directions. Always complete the treatment course even if you start to feel better.