Medical Society of Virginia launches antibiotic informational campaign

By Sarah Arkin

Published: October 6, 2008

BY SARAH ARKIN

Register & Bee staff writer

As coughing and sneezing season begins, a quick and common prescription to winter viruses may actually do more harm than good, health officials warn.

Antibiotics are commonly over prescribed, and prescribed for the wrong reasons, thus creating future complications for a patient and contributing to new strains of resistant bacteria, according to the Medical Society of Virginia.

The society, this week, is launching the “get smart about antibiotics campaign.”

“Antibiotics do not fight viruses and may do more harm than good when taken when you have a virus, increasing the risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment” the MSV said in a news release.

Antibiotics target bacteria and for that reason won’t even help treat a cold or flu, which are viruses, officials said.

Each year, doctors prescribe 10 million courses of antibiotics for viral conditions that won’t be helped by antibiotics, said Verna Burnette, an epidemiologist with the Danville-Pittsylvania District of the Virginia Department of Health.

“Part of the problem is brought on by an increased demand for antibiotics and prescribing practices,” Burnette said.

Much of that has to do with patient perception, she said, “that the consumer will be well sooner.”

When a patient takes an antibiotic, the drug kills some of the sensitive bacteria, but any naturally resistant bacteria will remain and will multiply, according to health experts. As one person takes antibiotics, there is a greater chance that they will carry resistant bacteria and that bacteria can spread to family members and friends.

That situation hit home last year, when a 17-year old Staunton River High School student in Moneta died from complications from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

“People should take antibiotics only when their illnesses are diagnosed by a physician/medical provider as bacterial, and then, only as prescribed,” said Beth Bortz, executive director of MSV. “Your body will fight viral illnesses that cause most upper respiratory infections.”

Doctors also are too quick to prescribe antibiotics during surgeries, a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found.

About 50 of the 150 million annual outpatient antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, the CDC says, and help contribute to the growth of new, drug-resistant strains of bacteria.

More than 70 percent of bacteria that cause infections in hospitals already are resistant to at least one of the antibiotic drugs most commonly used to treat infections, according to the CDC.

The best way to stay healthy, Burnette said, is practicing tried and true methods like thorough hand washing and maintaining a healthy immune system.

Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.