Do Bugs Need Drugs?A community program for wise use of antibiotics

Do Bugs Need Drugs?

Program for Older Adults

December 2011

Infections Caused by Germs

• Colds

• Flu or Influenza

• Sore throat (most)• Sore throat (most)

• Cough

• Laryngitis

• Chest colds (bronchitis)Chest colds (bronchitis)

• Pneumonia

80% of common infections can be spread pby the hands.

Germs

H Di t A Thi ?How Dirty Are Things?Location Contamination (%)

University of Arizona study:

Location Contamination (%)Playground 44Bus Rails 35

TucsonChicago

Bus Rails 35Public Restrooms 25Pens (shared) 16San Francisco

TampaPens (shared) 16Vending Machines 14P blic phones 13Public phones 13

Reynolds KA, et al. Int J Environ Health Res 2005;15(3):225-34

This is not a new message !

When to WashWhen to Wash

B f l i f dBefore meals or preparing food

After…..

Using theUsing the toilet

Blowing your noseSneezing

After contact with animals and pets

After handling shared objects

Keep your hands away from your face

EyesMouth

Nose

Review:  when to wash your hands

HANDWASHING DEMOHANDWASHING DEMO

Alcohol‐Based Hand Sanitizers

Not a substitute for handwashingf g

•Don’t work if the hands are dirty or greasy 

•Don’t kill some germs that causeDon t kill some germs that cause diarrhea

•OK when soap and water aren’t available•OK when soap and water aren t available

•Wash with soap and water as soon as possible

TM

Not all bugs are created equalNot all bugs are created equal

Virus BacteriumVirus Bacterium

Influenza virus E. coli

0.1μM 2.0 μM

BacteriumVirus BacteriumVirus

Influenza virus E. coli

0.1μM 2.0 μM

Viral Infections

M i C ld• Most respiratory 

tract infections 

• Colds

• Flu

• Feel sick all over • Sore throat (most)

• Coughyour body

• Cough

• Sinus infection

Antibiotics DO NOT work against viruses

Bacterial Infections

• Less common than viral infections

•Usually affect only one part of the body

•Pneumonia and Strep throat are caused by bacteria

• Spread less easily from one person to another

Antibiotics DO work against bacteria

Use antibiotics wiselyUse antibiotics wisely

Antibiotic resistanceAntibiotic resistance

S h t ?So what ?

Consequences of Antibiotic ResistanceAntibiotic Resistance

• Antibiotics don’t work

T t t i diffi lt• Treatment is difficult

• Sick for a long timeSick for a long time

• Caused by inappropriate use

Important to use antibiotics only when d dneeded

SuperbugsSuperbugs

• Superbugs are resistant to many antibiotics• Superbugs are resistant to many antibiotics

• Infections caused by superbugs are a seriousInfections caused by superbugs are a serious problem

•Antibiotics won’t work against these infections

Don’t get sick in the first placeg p

WASH YOUR HANDS

Remember…

• Handwashing is the best way to prevent the d f i f ispread of infections.

Vi d b t i diff t f• Viruses and bacteria are very different from each other.  Not all bugs need drugs.  I f ti d b i d ’t t b ttInfections caused by viruses don’t get better with antibiotics.

• Using antibiotics for colds and the flu can cause antibiotic resistancecause antibiotic resistance.

Thank you!