Antibiotics are intended for use only in cases of bacterial infections, yet this guideline is not always adhered to. Dr. Therèse Staub from the Higher Council for Infectious Diseases (CSMI) has been investigating the issue of wrongful antibiotic prescriptions as part of her work within the National Antibiotics Plan.
Dr. Staub notes that the problem often arises when general practitioners face uncertainties in diagnosing whether an infection is bacterial or viral. In these situations, the fear of missing a bacterial infection can lead to the precautionary prescription of antibiotics, even when they might not be necessary.
To address this issue, Dr. Staub emphasises the importance of conducting specific tests to determine the nature of an infection before resorting to antibiotics. For example, she points out that antibiotics are not required for treating viral infections such as the flu.
In many Member States, antibiotics are hardly ever prescribed. In southern Member States, however, antibiotics are prescribed more than usual. Luxembourg ranks in the middle of the pack. Dr. Staub emphasises that increased awareness is needed, as prolific antibiotic use leads to higher resistance levels, not only in humans but also in animals.
Therefore, Dr Staub highlights the necessity of a collaborative approach as the environment and agriculture also play a role. Excessive use of antibiotics can cause bacteria to become resistant, rendering the medication ineffective. Dr. Félix Wildschutz describes this as a public health issue, noting that resistance can transfer between animals and humans and vice versa. This means that every party involved has a role to play and a responsibility to bear.
In veterinary medicine, there has been a noticeable reduction in antibiotic use in recent years, and this trend should continue. The goal is to reduce antibiotic use by 5 to 10 percent annually.
A significant issue, both in humans and animals, is self-medication. This occurs when people use leftover antibiotics for themselves, their children, or their pets without consulting a doctor or veterinarian.
Dr. Staub also advises against using antibiotics left at home, as there is no rule of thumb for how often antibiotics should be taken in a year. The best approach is to use them as sparingly as possible.
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