Educational only; not medical advice. This is an old article, but the situation still exists

Antibiotics Are Often Prescribed for Viral Illnesses, Despite Offering No Benefit

A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (September 17, 1997; 278:901–904, 944–945) found that many physicians in the United States continue to prescribe antibiotics for respiratory illnesses caused by viruses—conditions that do not respond to antibiotic treatment. Overuse of antibiotics can contribute to bacterial resistance, making future infections harder to treat.

According to the report, 1992 survey data showed that physicians prescribed antibiotics for:

  • 51% of patients diagnosed with the common cold

  • 52% of those with upper respiratory tract infections (URIs)

  • 66% of patients diagnosed with bronchitis

These three conditions accounted for more than 12 million antibiotic prescriptions, or 21% of all ambulatory antibiotic use in adults.

Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) noted that unrealistic patient expectations and limited time for patient education contribute significantly to unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. They also pointed to knowledge gaps among physicians regarding the typical course of viral respiratory illnesses.

For example, a persistent cough may continue for 10 days during a common cold, yet many doctors still prescribe antibiotics for this symptom—even though antibiotics provide no benefit for viral infections.

The CDC concluded:

“We encourage all physicians to examine their own practices and identify where they can decrease unnecessary antimicrobial use by improving diagnostic methods or communicating with patients concerning the lack of benefit, potential adverse effects, and development of resistance associated with such therapy.”

 

A report published in  the Journal of the American Medical Association (September 17, 1997;278:901-904;944-945) finds that doctors in the United States often prescribe antibiotics for virus-caused common respiratory that do not respond to antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics, when used too frequently, can cause bacteria to become resistant to them, thereby rendering the drugs useless against future infections with these bacteria.

Survey results for 1992 showed that 51% of their patients diagnosed with colds, 52% of those with upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), and 66% of patients diagnosed with bronchitis received antibiotic prescriptions. The conditions of colds, URIs, and bronchitis account for more than 12 million or 21% of all ambulatory antibiotic prescriptions to adults.

Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) blame physicians for the major reason for these unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions “…is unrealistic patient expectations, coupled with insufficient time to discuss with patients why an antibiotic is not needed. Some of the responsbility is with physician ignorance. They continue, “Although less readily admitted, physicians’ inadequate knowledge of the spectrum of symptoms and signs and the natural history of respiratory illnesses also contributes to antibiotic overuse.” They note, for example, that doctors may prescribe antibiotics for a persistent cough, despite the fact that about 30% of coughs in common colds often persist for 10 days.

The CDC ended by saying: “We encourage all physicians to examine their own practices and identify where they can decrease unnecessary antimicrobial use by improving diagnostic methods or communicating with patients concerning the lack of benefit, potential adverse effects, and development of resistance associated with such therapy.”