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Sick/Absent FAQ: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- Sports and Teens
- How much sleep should my child have each night?
- How safe are Fireworks? Are they legal in Massachusetts?
- What is the MRSA? Why is the fuss about on the news lately?
- Why Is Hand Washing So Important?
- How do I talk with Teens about Sex?
- What is MRSA?
- What is Antibiotic Resistance?
Sports and Teens
Physically Active Teens Stay Out of Trouble
Is Your Child Sports-Safe?
By: Amy Norton
Teenagers who stay active, participating in anything from football to
skateboarding, are less likely than their sedentary peers to smoke, drink or
take other health risks, new research shows.
Much has been made about the importance of exercise in fighting the swelling
problem of childhood obesity. But just as important are the effects regular
physical activity can have on kids� behavior, according to Dr. Penny Gordon-
Larsen, the lead author of the new study.
There are clearly benefits to exercise other than weight control, said Gordon-
Larsen, an assistant professor of nutrition at the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill.
And kids who spend their free time in front of the TV are missing out on
those benefits, she added.
"It�s clear that there can be adverse effects of watching TV." Gordon-Larsen
said, pointing to research that has linked violent or sexual content in
television shows to kids� behavior.
But beyond whatever effects media may have, she said, children who spend
their free time on the couch miss out on the socialization, team work and
skill development that comes with being active.
Among the nearly 12,000 middle- and high-school students in her study, those
who were physically active were less likely than their couch-potato peers to
smoke, drink, use drugs or have sex. Also, they often had higher self-esteem
and better grades.
"Across the board, children who engaged in any kind of activity were better
off than kids who watched a lot of TV." said Gordon-Larsen.
The findings, which are published in Pediatrics, also show that activity does
not simply mean traditional sports.
Kids who favored "alternative" activities, like skateboarding, had higher
self-esteem and were less prone to taking health risks, Gordon-Larsen pointed
out.
The bottom line for parents, according to the researcher, is that they should
encourage their kids to pursue whatever physical activities they happen to
enjoy.
If mom and dad can handle a skateboard themselves, even better. Teens in the
study who engaged in sports and exercise with their parents were particularly
likely to stay on the straight and narrow.
How much sleep should my child have each night? Less Sleep May Mean More Weight for Kids
By: Karen Barrow
Is sleeping the key to staying lean?
The less time your child spends asleep, the more likely he or she may become
overweight, new research shows. In fact, sleeping fewer than ten hours a
night may make a child significantly more likely to become overweight than a
child who sleeps away half the day. Lack of sleep seems to play a larger role
in weight gain than time spent watching television and lack of physical
activity.
Researchers from the University of Laval in Quebec looked at the lifestyles,
habits, body mass index and waist size of 422 children between the ages of 5
and 10. In all, 20 percent of boys and 24 percent of girls in the study were
overweight. After analyzing the data, researchers discovered that those
children who slept fewer than 10 hours a night were 3.5 times more likely to
be overweight than those who slept more than 12 hours a night. Other factors
that may contribute to weight gain, including time spent watching television,
parental education, family income and regular physical activity, were found
to have much lower impact on a child becoming overweight.
The results may seem strange, but historically, as weight has gone up, the
time Americans have spent in bed has dwindled. Between 1960 and 2000, obesity
rates for the general population doubled and the average length of sleep
dropped an average of one to two hours. Additionally, the percentage of young
adults who slept fewer than seven hours increased from 16 percent to 37
percent.
One possible explanation for the connection between lack of sleep and weight,
according to Dr. Jean Philippe Chaput and colleagues, is that, during sleep,
the body regulates the levels of certain hormones that make us feel either
hungry or satiated. In other words, excess time in bed may help the body
stave off hunger pains.
"It is somewhat paradoxical that sleeping, the most sedentary of all
activities, may be associated with leanness," writes Chaput.
But don't think you can snooze your way through weight loss. Chaput explains
that increasing both the length of time sleeping and one's activity levels
during the day may be the best approach to maintaining a healthy body weight.
How safe are Fireworks? Are they legal in Massachusetts? BE SMART..LEAVE THE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS
ENJOY THE MANY SUPERVISED PROFESSIONAL DISPLAYS
-All across the state, there are many professional fireworks displays
supervised by local fire departments. Unfortunately, too many children and
adult amateurs continue to set off fireworks that start fires, and cause
serious injuries to themselves and others.
FIREWORKS CAN BE DEADLY
-A 45 year old Gloucester woman dies in a December 22,2003 house fire when
someone threw fireworks and ignited the Christmas tree in the living room.
Three other people were also injured. On May 20,1997 a 26 year old man from
Watertown was killed while he was lighting fireworks in a hallway. A 27 year
old Framingham man was killed on July 4, 1993 wehn his backyard fireworks
exploded in his face. On July 4, 1992, fireworks fatally injured a 30 year old
man on a beach in Fairhaven.
ALL FIREWORKD ARE ILLEGAL IN MASSACHUSETTS
-The possession and use of all fireworks by private citizens is illegal in
Massachusetts. This includes Class C fireworks which are sometimes falsely
called: "safe and sane", such as: sparklers, firecrackers, spinners and cherry
bombs to name a few. Sparklers burn at 1800 degrees F.
DO NOT PURCHASE FIREWORKS THROUGH MAILORDER OR ON-LINE CATALOGUES
-The distribution of mailorder catalogues that clearly state that fireworks
are illegal in some jurisdictions cannot be prohibited. State and local police
regularly confiscate illegal shipments of fireworks into Massachusetts. Many
unhappy consumers have lost both their money and the fireworks trying to
circumvent the law.
SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR YOUR CHILDREN. CHILDREN IMITATE WHAT THEY SEE ADULTS
DO.
-If you use fireworks, children will imitate you and not realize how very
dangerous they are. Sixty percent of the fireworks-related burn injuries
reported by hospitals to the Office of the State Fire Marshal were children
under age 18.
MFIRS facts:
-In the past decade(1997-2006)there have been 615 major fire and explosions
incidents involving illegal fireworks reported to the Massachusetts Fire
Incident Reporting System. THese 615 fires and explosions caused two deaths,
15 civilian injuries, 8 fire service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss
of: $1,478,026 . This is quite a substantial amount since most fireworks
related fires are outside brush fires and do not usually have high loss
figures. A majority of the fires occurred during the week of the Fourth of
July holiday.
-ON July 4,2006, the New Bedford Fire Department was dispatched to a fire in a
3 unit apartment building. SOmeone playing with fireworks accidentally ignited
the roof on fire. Detectors were present, alerted the occupants and no one
waws injured in the fire. Damages from this fire were estimated to be
$20,000.
-On July 2, 2006, The Boston Fire Department was dispatched to a car fire.
SOmeone intentionally tossed some fireworks into the vehicle. Damages from
this fire were estimated to be $1,000.
-On April 25, 2006, the Bolton Fire Department was called to a multiple car
fire at Nashoba Regional High School. An 18 year old male student tossed a
fire through the sunroof of one of the cars, igniting the front seat. Four
other cars were destroyed by the fire, fand four other cars had heat damage.
-
For more information; please see:
Office of the State Fire Marshal
Department of Fire Services
PO box 1025
State Road
Stow, MA
01775
(978)-567-3300
www.mass.gov/dfs
What is the MRSA? Why is the fuss about on the news lately? Questions and answers about Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA)---What is MRSA?--MRSA is a kind of bacteria that is resistant to some
kinds of antibiotics. To understand MRSA it is helpful to learn about
Staphylococcus -aureus.
-What are staph?
--Staph are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy
people. About 25-30% of the U.S. population carry staph on their bodies at any
time.
-Do staph always make people sick?
--No. Many people carry staph in their nose or on their skin for a period of
time and do not know they are carrying them. They do not have skin infections.
They do not have any other signs or symptoms of illness. This is called
�colonization.� Sometimes, though, staph can cause an infection, especially
pustules with the skin. These infections often contain pus, and may feel itchy
and warm. Occasionally,staph cause more serious infections.
-How are staph spread?
--Staph are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands,
wrestling, or other direct contact with the skin of another person. Staph are
also spread by contact with items that have been touched by people with staph,
like towels shared after bathing and drying off, or shared athletic equipment
in the gym or on the field. Staph infections start when staph get into a cut,
scrape or other break in the skin. People who have skin infections�painful,
swollen pimples, boils, and rashes, for example�should be very careful to
avoid spreading their infection to others.
--Is Mrsa different from other staph?
-Yes.
MRSA is different from other staph because it cannot be treated with some
antibiotics. When antibiotics are needed to treat a MRSA infection, the right
antibiotic must be used. If the right antibiotic is not used, the treatment
may not work.
MRSA is just like other staph in almost every other way:
� MRSA can be carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people, and
usually not cause an infection or make them sick.
� It can cause minor skin infections that go away without any special medical
treatment.
� It is spread the same way as other staph.
� The symptoms are the same as other staph infections.
MRSA
Sources are from the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health
Mrsa is sometimes said as a single word, �mersa,� or by saying all four
letters, �M-r-s-a�
Mrsa
what are the symptoms of an infection caused by staph?
Pimples, rashes, pus-filled boils, especially when warm, painful, red or
swollen, can mean that you have a staph or MRSA skin infection.
Occasionally, staph can also cause more serious problems such as surgical
wound infections,bloodstream infections and pneumonia. The symptoms could
include high fever, swelling, heat and pain around a wound, headache, fatigue
and others.
-What should I do if I think I have a staph skin infection?
Keep the area clean and dry. See your doctor, especially if the infection is
large, painful, warm to
the touch, or does not heal by itself.
How will my doctor know if i have a Mrsa infection?
The only way to tell the difference between MRSA and other staph infections is
with lab tests.Lab tests will also help your doctor decide which antibiotic
should be used for treatment, if antibiotic treatment is necessary.Your doctor
will usually take a sample on a swab (like a Q-tip) from the infected area.
The sample will be sent to a laboratory to see if the infection is caused by
staph. Blood and other body fluids can also be tested for staph.
-How are Mrsa infections treated?
--Most MRSA skin infections are treated by good wound and skin care: keeping
the area clean and dry, washing your hands after caring for the area,
carefully disposing of any bandages, and allowing your body to heal. Sometimes
treatment requires the use of antibiotics. Lab tests help your doctor decide
which antibiotic should be used for treatment, if antibiotic treatment is
necessary. If antibiotics are prescribed, it is important to use the
medication as directed unless your doctor tells you to stop. If the infection
has not improved within a few days after seeing your doctor, contact your
doctor again.
How can I prevent a staph infection?
� Regular handwashing is the best way to prevent getting and spreading staph,
including MRSA. Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and
warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after direct
contact with another person�s skin.
� Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until they have
healed.
� Avoid contact with other people�s wounds or bandages.
� Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, toothbrushes and
razors. Sharing these items may transfer staph from one person to another.
� Keep your skin healthy, and avoid getting dry, cracked skin, especially
during the winter.
-Healthy skin helps to keep the staph on the surface of your skin from causing
an infection underneath your skin.
� Contact your doctor if you have a skin infection that does not improve.
For more information about MRSA
visit the MdPH website at www.mass.gov/dph
Massachusetts Department of Public Health October 2006
Why Is Hand Washing So Important? Why Is Hand Washing So Important?
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From KidsHealth.org
Find More
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
A delicious mud pie, a good-luck rock, or a friendly frog are just a few of
the presents children love to bring home to Mom and Dad. But did you know
that behind these adorable gifts - and countless others - millions of germs
could be lurking?
Lea este articulo en Espa�ol.
Kids may not always listen when you tell them to wash their hands before
eating, but it's a message worth repeating. Hand washing is by far the best
way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep your kids from getting sick.
The First Line of Defense Against Germs
Germs - such as bacteria and viruses - can be transmitted several different
ways, especially by touching dirty hands or changing dirty diapers. Other
ways germs spread include:
through contaminated water and food
through droplets released during a cough or a sneeze
through contaminated surfaces
through a sick person's body fluids
If kids pick up germs from one of these sources, they can unknowingly become
infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they're
infected, it's usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes
down with the same illness.
Good hand washing is your first line of defense against the spread of many
illnesses - and not just the common cold. More serious illnesses such as
meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A, and most types of
infectious diarrhea can be stopped with the simple act of washing your
hands.
How to Wash Your Hands Correctly
Here are some simple steps for scrubbing those germs away. Demonstrate this
routine to your child - or better yet, wash your hands together with your
child several times a day so he or she learns how important this good habit
is.
Wash your hands in warm water. Make sure the water isn't too hot for little
hands.
Use soap and lather up for about 10 to 15 seconds (antibacterial soap isn't
necessary - any soap will do). Make sure you get in between the fingers and
under the nails where uninvited germs like to hang out. And don't forget the
wrists!
Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.
To minimize the germs passed around your family, make frequent hand washing
a rule for everyone, especially:
before eating and cooking
after using the bathroom
after cleaning around the house
after touching animals, including family pets
after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives
after blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing
after being outside (playing, gardening, walking the dog, etc.)
Don't underestimate the power of hand washing! The few seconds you spend at
the sink with your child could save you trips to the doctor's office.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: March 2007
How do I talk with Teens about Sex? Here are 10 tips from HEALTH QUARTERS www. healthq.org
1-Examine your own sexual attitudes and be ready to share them
2-Establish an open and nonjudgmental environment
3-Seek out "teachable moments" -news stories or life events that can spark
conversation
4-If you're asked a question, find out what prompted it.
5-Be honest to avoid losing trust-kids can tell when they're being protected
6-Answer clearly and briefly; offer more detail only if requested
7-Set a positive tone-sexuality is a natural human interest and activity
8-It's okay to admit that you don't know an answer; relax and learn together
9-Set your own limits: you can explain without giving permission to experiment
10-And, finally, talk often..but remember to listen more than talk
What is MRSA? About MRSA
(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
General Information
* What is MRSA?
* What is Staphylococcus aureus?
* Is MRSA different from other staph?
* What are the symptoms of an infection caused by MRSA?
* Does MRSA cause more serious infection than other staph?
* Is MRSA the �flesh-eating� bacteria?
* What should I do if I think I have a staph/MRSA infection?
* How will my doctor know if I have a staph/MRSA infection?
* How are MRSA infections treated?
* How can I prevent a staph/MRSA infection?
* For more information about staph/MRSA
* Public Health Fact Sheets
* MRSA Posters
What is MRSA?
MRSA stands for � methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.�
MRSA is a kind of Staphylococcus aureus (�staph�) bacteria, that is resistant
to some kinds of antibiotics. It is resistant to a family of antibiotics
related to penicillin that includes antibiotics called methicillin and
oxacillin, and is often resistant to many other antibiotics as well.
Pronunciation: MRSA is sometimes said as a single word, �mersa,� or by saying
all four letters, �M-R-S-A.� Either way is correct.
Photo of MRSA bacteria.
MRSA is a bacterium that is resistant to some kinds of treatment.
To understand MRSA it is helpful to learn about Staphylococcus aureus
(�staph�) bacteria, because MRSA is a kind of staph.
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus , often referred to as �staph,� are bacteria commonly
carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. About 25-30% of the U.S.
population carries staph on their bodies and yet the bacteria do not always
cause illness or infection.
Do staph always make people sick?
No. There are many different strains of staph, and not all of them are
harmful. Many people carry staph in their nose or on their skin and do not
know they are carrying them. They do not have skin infections. They do not
have any other signs or symptoms of illness. This is called �colonization.�
Sometimes, though, staph can cause an infection, especially pimples, boils and
other problems with the skin. Staph are one of the most common causes of skin
infections in the United States. Also, staph occasionally can cause very
serious illness when they get into the bloodstream, the lungs or a wound after
surgery.
Staph in the Community
25-30% of the healthy people in your community can have staph on their skin or
in their nose. Staph are bacteria found on the skin and in the nose of many
healthy people.
What kinds of infections do some people get from staph?
Staph can cause many kinds of skin infections, like pimples, boils, and
rashes. These infections often contain pus, and may feel itchy or warm. They
may be swollen or red. Occasionally, staph cause more serious infections such
as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.
Image of a skin staph infection. Staph infection causing swelling and boils on
the skin. Staph infection causing pus-filled boils on the skin.
Staph infections of the skin may look like these photos of staph infections.
How are staph spread?
Staph, including MRSA, are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, such as
shaking hands, wrestling, or other direct contact with the skin of another person.
Staph are also spread by contact with items that have been touched by people
with staph, like towels shared after bathing and drying off, or shared
athletic equipment in the gym or on the field.
Remember, most people who have staph on their skin do not have infections or
illness caused by staph. These people are �colonized� with staph.
People who do have skin infections should be very careful to avoid spreading
their infection to others. Steps to prevent spread are listed below.
Skin infections start when bacteria get into a cut or scrape. Bacteria live on
everyone�s skin and usually cause no harm. But when staphylococcus bacteria
get into your body through a break in the skin, they can cause a �staph�
infection. Staph infections may spread to other people through skin-to-skin
contact and from shared items such as towels, soap, clothes and sports
equipment. Staph infection on a cut on a wrist.
How are staph infections treated?
Staph skin infections may heal by themselves if kept clean and dry. Those that
do not heal by themselves may need to be evaluated by a doctor. The doctor may
drain and clean an infected boil or wound or even prescribe an antibiotic. A
doctor should treat serious staph infections, like infection of the blood or
pneumonia.
MRSA � A Kind of Staph
Is MRSA different from other staph?
MRSA is a kind of staph. It can be carried on the skin or in the nose of
healthy people, and may never cause an infection or make them sick. It can
cause minor skin infections that go away without any special medical
treatment. MRSA can cause skin infections that look just like infections
caused by other staph. MRSA is also spread the same way as other staph.
Image of staphylococcus bacteria under a microscope.
Under a microscope, MRSA looks like any other kind of staph.
MRSA is different from other staph because it is resistant to treatment with
some antibiotics. Although 25-30% of the U.S. population is colonized with
staph, far fewer are colonized with MRSA. Most staph on people�s skin, and
most staph causing skin infections, is not MRSA. However, MRSA is becoming
increasingly common.
Compare and Contrast: Staph vs. MRSA
Staph
MRSA
Spread by direct skin to skin contact
Spread by direct skin to skin contact
Spread by sharing items like towels and sports equipment
Spread by sharing items like towels and sports equipment
Can cause skin infections
Can cause skin infections
Can cause serious illness
Can cause serious illness
Can be on someone�s skin or in their nose without causing infections
Can be on someone�s skin or in their nose without causing infections
Can heal without treatment
Can heal without treatment
Common : 25-30% of population is colonized at any one time
Less Common, but increasing
When treatment is needed, most staph are not resistant to commonly used
antibiotics, so can be treated with antibiotics more easily.
When treatment is needed, MRSA is resistant to certain, commonly used
antibiotics, so must be treated with other kinds of antibiotics.
What are the symptoms of an infection caused by MRSA?
MRSA is a type of staph, so the symptoms of a MRSA infection and the symptoms
of an infection due to other staph are the same. Pimples, rashes, pus-filled
boils, especially when warm, painful, red or swollen, can mean that you have a
staph skin infection. If you are concerned about a skin infection, please see
a doctor.
Staph can also cause more serious infections such as severe skin infection,
surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. The symptoms
could include high fever, swelling, heat and pain around a wound, headache,
fatigue, and others. These infections can be very serious.
Staph infection causing an open sore. Staph infection causing a pus-filled boil.
Pimples, rashes, pus-filled boils, especially when warm, painful, red or
swollen, can mean that you have a staph skin infection.
Does MRSA cause more serious infections than other staph?
MRSA does not usually cause more serious problems than other staph. Many MRSA
skin infections are mild and heal by themselves when kept clean and dry.
However, because MRSA can�t be identified without special lab tests, it is not
always identified and treated correctly when antibiotic treatment is needed.
Doctors may assume that a MRSA infection is a common staph infection and treat
with antibiotics that do not kill MRSA. This potential delay in recognizing
and treating MRSA infections effectively can result in prolonged illness and
rare life-threatening illnesses in the blood, heart and bones. Some MRSA, just
like some staph, may produce substances that cause more severe infections
Is MRSA the �flesh-eating� bacteria?
Many bacteria can cause severe illness, including a very severe skin and
tissue infection called �necrotizing fasciitis.� This kind of life-threatening
infection is rare and can be caused by staph, including MRSA, and other kinds
of bacteria.
A red, swollen and painful-looking finger. What do you think?
A friend shows you their finger, which looks red, swollen and painful. Could
this be a staph infection? Could it be the resistant kind of staph called
MRSA? How can you tell? What difference does it make if antibiotics are needed
for treatment?
What should I do if I think I have a staph/MRSA infection?
Keep the area clean and dry. See your doctor, especially if the infection is
large, painful, warm to the touch, or does not heal by itself.
How will my doctor know if I have a staph/MRSA infection?
Your doctor will usually take a sample on a swab (like a Q-tip) from the
infected area. The sample will be sent to a laboratory to see if the infection
is caused by staph. If the infection is caused by staph, a second test will be
needed to determine if the staph is MRSA. Blood and other body fluids can also
be tested for staph.
Image of staph infection under a microscope, that can use lab tests to
determine if the staph is MRSA.
Staph infection can be confirmed by a lab test. A second test determines if
the staph is MRSA.
How are MRSA infections treated?
Most MRSA infections are treated by good wound and skin care: keeping the area
clean and dry, washing your hands after caring for the area, carefully
disposing of any bandages, and allowing your body to heal.
Sometimes treatment requires the use of antibiotics. If antibiotics are
needed, it is important to take all the doses you are given unless your doctor
tells you to stop. If the infection has not improved within a few days after
seeing your doctor, contact your doctor again.
How can I prevent a staph/MRSA infection?
Regular handwashing is the best way to prevent getting and spreading staph/MRSA:
* Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and warm
water or hand sanitizer, and especially after direct contact with another
person�s skin. Obtain information about how to wash hands.
* Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until they have
healed.
* Avoid contact with other people�s wounds or bandages.
* Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, toothbrushes,
and razors. Sharing these items may transfer staph from one person to another.
* Keep your skin healthy, and avoid getting dry, cracked skin, especially
during the winter. Healthy skin helps to keep staph/MRSA on the surface of
your skin from causing an infection underneath your skin.
* See a doctor if you have any questions or an infection that does not
improve.
Staph infection causing a rash on the face, neck and an ear.
Surprising fact: The best way to prevent skin infections is simple - wash your
hands.
Washing your hands often with soap and warm water also helps prevent colds and
flu. Antibacterial soaps are not needed.
What is Antibiotic Resistance? Antibiotic Resistance
GENERAL INFORMATION
* What are bacteria and viruses?
* What are antibiotics?
* What is antibiotic resistance?
* Why is antibiotic resistance a problem?
* What causes antibiotic resistance?
* When are antibiotics not needed? Can they really be overused?
* How can I tell if an infection is bacterial or viral?
* What kinds of infections are caused by viruses and should not be treated
with antibiotics?
* What can I do to prevent antibiotic resistance?
* What are some bacterial infections that are resistant to common antibiotics?
* More information about antibiotic resistance
What are bacteria and viruses?
Bacteria and viruses are germs that can cause infections and disease, but they
are very different in other ways. Most bacteria can live on their own, outside
the body. Viruses can only live inside cells of the body. Most bacteria in the
world are good and play an important role in nature. Only some bacteria are
capable of causing infections and diseases. Antibiotics do not kill viruses,
and should not be used to treat viral illnesses.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria, tiny germs that can cause infections
and disease. Antibiotics have been used for many years to treat illnesses
caused by bacteria. Many people are familiar with the antibiotic penicillin,
which was discovered during the 1920s by Alexander Fleming. Antibiotics come
in pill form, as syrups, as salves and ointments, and are also given by
injection. Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Each time you take an antibiotic, bacteria that are sensitive to the
antibiotic are killed. Other bacteria are not killed as easily and may grow
and multiply - they are �resistant� to the antibiotic.
Over many years, some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics commonly
used to treat infections caused by these bacteria. �Antibiotic resistance�
describes this process. These bacteria have slowly changed over time and are
no longer sensitive to some antibiotics. In other words, some antibiotics no
longer work very well against some infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Staph skin infection on an arm.
Some antibiotics no longer work against some infections caused by resistant
bacteria.
Why is antibiotic resistance a problem?
For a single patient with a skin infection, or other bacterial infection,
antibiotic resistance may mean that a prescribed medication does not work the
way it is supposed to. This may result in an infection that does not heal as
quickly, or other complications such as additional visits to the doctor,
additional tests, and another prescription for a different antibiotic. The
infection may get worse before resistance is discovered and the treatment is
changed.
For the entire community, and all over the world, antibiotic resistance is a
problem because many bacteria that cause infections are becoming more
resistant to commonly-used antibiotic treatments. New medications are slowly
being developed to treat resistant bacteria.
What causes antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is a natural process - stronger bacteria survive and
multiply.
Unfortunately, the problem of antibiotic resistance is made worse when
antibiotics are not used correctly or are used when they are not needed. This
can happen with animals as well as people. Antibiotic overuse, and misuse, can
create the conditions for the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Millions of treatments with antibiotics are prescribed each year when not
needed. Overuse of antibiotics in children is of particular concern because
the highest rates of antibiotic use occur among children. Fortunately,
patients and doctors can work together to reduce antibiotic resistance.
When are antibiotics not needed? Can they really be overused?
Antibiotic resistance is natural, but happens faster when antibiotics are
misused or overused. For example, antibiotics do not work against diseases
caused by viruses (as mentioned above) but sometimes are prescribed and taken
to treat viral illnesses. Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive
bacteria are killed but resistant bacteria may grow and multiply. Treating
viral illnesses with antibiotics is a problem because it can lead to the
development of resistant bacteria.
How can I tell if an infection is bacterial or viral?
This can be very difficult. Consult your doctor to be sure. Depending on the
symptoms of the illness, sometimes doctors can be quite sure about the cause
of the illness without ordering a test. For example, colds and the flu are
viral illnesses (see below). Sometimes it is necessary for a doctor to order a
test to determine whether an illness is due to a virus or bacteria.
Knowing what causes an illness is important, because antibiotics do not kill
viruses and should not be prescribed or taken to treat viruses.
Remember: antibiotics do not kill viruses!
Antibiotics can only be used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
What do you think?
Colds are caused by viruses. When Maureen gets a cold she usually heads right
to the doctor to try to get a prescription for an antibiotic. What would you
tell her about using antibiotics to treat viral illness?
What kinds of infections are caused by viruses and should not be treated with
antibiotics?
* Colds
* Flu
* Most coughs and bronchitis
* Sore throats (except for those resulting from strep)
What can I do to prevent antibiotic resistance?
* Talk to your doctor about antibiotic resistance.
* Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold, a cough, or
the flu. Antibiotics should be used only to treat bacterial infections.
* Take an antibiotic exactly as the doctor tells you. Do not skip doses.
Complete the prescribed course of treatment, even if you are feeling better.
If treatment stops early, some bacteria may survive and cause re-infection.
* Do not save any antibiotics for the next time you get sick. Throw away
leftover medication once you are finished with your course of treatment.
* Do not demand antibiotics when a doctor says they are not needed.
* Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may
not be right for your illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct
treatment and may allow bacteria to multiply.
* Parents, remember that these �rules� apply to children who have been
prescribed antibiotics.
What are some bacterial infections that are resistant to common antibiotics?
The following infections have become resistant to (unable to be treated by)
certain common antibiotics. As a result, these infections are now more
difficult to treat than in the past:
* Staphylococcus aureus
* Tuberculosis
* Gonorrhea
* Salmonella
* Streptococcus pneumoniae
External Links
For more information about antibiotic resistance, visit:
* Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics
www.tufts.edu/med/apua/home.html
* Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE)
www.aware.md
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get Smart. Know When
Antibiotics Work www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/default.htm
* United States Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Education:
Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/antibiotics_text.htm
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