Fact: nearly half of the Australian population is prescribed an antibiotic each year (last recorded in 2014). And it is this high number – which also accounts for 30 million filled-out prescriptions – that has given experts reason to research the effects antibiotics actually have on our bodies.
Their primary discovery? In many cases, these antibiotics don’t have any effect. As a nation, Australia has rather worryingly built up a resistance to antibiotics.
This is why, as part of Antibiotic Awareness Week, medical experts are encouraging all Australians to be more aware of why they’re taking antibiotics, starting with the causes of antibiotic resistance and how to rebuild it.
How does antibiotic resistance occur?
According to Lyn Gilbert, Professor in Infectious Diseases at Sydney Medical School, it’s our long-held belief that when a sickness strikes, the only thing that will serve as a fix is an antibiotic.
“The most common reason for prescribing antibiotics by GPs is acute, viral respiratory infections – in other words, the common cold,” she says. “Most of us know we’re not going to need antibiotics; we know it’s going to take a week to 10 days to get better.
“But what often happens is that a GP will write a prescription thinking – and they are quite right in most situations – that it won’t do any harm. But this is where it’s a problem, because it’s built up and built a resistance.”
Why is antibiotic resistance a problem?
Our expert believes, that because of this antibiotic resistance, even common infections, like mild urinary tract infections (UTIs), can’t always be treated by drugs taken by mouth.
Worryingly, this is because of the resistance we’ve built to the antibiotic.
“In the future, it’s likely that people will have to be admitted to hospital to be treated for what is a relatively trivial infection (like an UTI) – and it could become serious if it’s not adequately treated,” she explains.
How to prevent antibiotic resistance
The simplest way to everyday Australians can rebuild and later stave off this resistance is to really think about why we’re taking an antibiotic – and, most importantly, if it’s necessary.
“Increasingly, what we need to do is think about what we’re going to do if we have a bad cold and we really want to get rid of it,” Professor Gilbert continues. “Do we go to the doctor and say we need an antibiotic or do we ask if we actually need it?”
That said, if you have been feeling unwell for an extended period of time, you could need an antibiotic – it’s all about having an open conversation with your GP.
“If you’re feeling sick and you really need an antibiotic, you’re much better off having the antibiotic and getting rid of the infection as soon as possible,” Professor Gilbert reassures us. “Because, sometimes, if you don’t treat it, it can get worse.”
What infections don’t necessarily need antibiotic treatment
Infections of the skin (like a boil, which is better treated by lancing it or removing the pus)
Urinary tract infections
Acute, viral respiratory infections (the common cold)
If you would like to learn more about antibiotic resistance, contact your trusted GP.
