Only when it makes sense Make conscious use of ANTIBIOTICS www.antibiotika.nrw.de 1
Introduction Barbara Steffens Ministerin für Gesundheit, Emanzipation, Pflege und Alter des Landes Nordrhein- Westfalen (Minister of Health, Equalities, Care and Ageing in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) Antibiotics are drugs against diseases caused by bacteria. If they are taken improperly, this may mean that they do not have any effect - the bacteria become resistant, the antibiotics no longer harm them. This antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem, but every single one of us can contribute to avoiding resistance by responsibly using antibiotics. This brochure explains the effect and the correct intake of antibiotics, and also the diseases for which they are not any use. Help to maintain the efficacy of antibiotics - only take antibiotics when it makes sense. 02
What are antibiotics? Antibiotics are drugs which kill or inhibit bacteria. With their help, diseases caused by bacteria such as blood poisoning, skin inflammations, pneumonia or tuberculosis can be treated very well. Without effective antibiotics, many people would die of such diseases. This is why antibiotics are life-savers. Some antibiotics deliberately target a specific kind of bacteria, others - so-called "broadspectrum antibiotics" - help against a variety of bacteria. But in general, antibiotics only act against bacteria and not against diseases caused by other pathogens. 03
Antibiotics are not panaceas The most important thing to start with: Antibiotics have no effect against viruses or fungi. For a disease caused by viruses, e.g. chickenpox or hepatitis, antibiotics are just as little help as in the case of a skin infection by a fungus. Taking an antibiotic for a "suspected" disease or applying it as an ointment, for example, is negligent! Why antibiotics cannot help against a cold: Most colds, which are noticeable by runny noses, coughing or sore throats, are caused by viruses. So it is no use taking an antibiotic if you have a cold or flu. Unless your doctor sees that the complaints are caused by bacteria. But that is only rarely the case for colds. Cold viruses can normally be combated by our body s own defence - the immune system - on its own. But with weakened people, it is possible that viruses attack the body so strongly that bacteria causing additional illness can settle. In such cases, taking an antibiotic can be sensible. Therefore, remember: Antibiotics only when it makes sense 04
Extensive information on www.antibiotika.nrw.de 05
Overview Bacteria, viruses, fungi BACTERIA are single-celled organisms and can be found everywhere in air, water and soil. There are also numerous different bacteria in our body, which fulfil important functions. In particular in the intestines, on the skin, in the mouth and nose and also in the urinary and sexual organs; bacteria are necessary for our health. But there are also bacteria which cause diseases. Bacteria which, for example, are useful in the intestines can make us ill only because they have passed into the bladder. 06
VIRUSES are distinctly smaller than bacteria. They are not organisms, as they do not comprise a cell, but need a socalled host cell. They penetrate into this host cell in order to reproduce and to exist in the long-term. Nevertheless, they can sometimes remain active outside the host cells for a long time. If viruses enter our body, we can become ill. Depending on the kind of virus, they trigger relatively harmless diseases of the respiratory tract but serious infections such as measles and AIDS are also caused by viruses. FUNGI are highly developed cells. They occur as single-celled organisms or a as number of cells that form a group. Similar to bacteria, fungi occur in the environment and on our skin or in our body. For example, our skin is not healthy without a specific yeast fungus. In medicine, skin, yeast and mould fungi play a role. In humans, some fungi can cause allergies and infections, for example, on fingernails and toenails. 07
Unnecessary intake side-effects Unnecessary intake of antibiotics means unnecessary risks If you take an antibiotic without a medical reason, you unnecessarily subject yourself to the risk of sideeffects without having any benefit from the drug. Side-effects of antibiotics can, for example, be headaches, diarrhoea or nausea, and they can cause allergies. Unfortunately, antibiotics not only combat bacteria which make us ill, but also ones which are vital for us. These bacteria are on our skin and in our intestines, for example, and the immune system and our metabolism are also dependent upon certain bacteria. Therefore, remember: Antibiotics only when it makes sense 08
Careless use resistance Careless use of antibiotics can be dangerous to us all Bacteria are organisms which reproduce quickly and can change again and again. If bacteria are frequently combated with one antibiotic, the probability that the drug cannot have any more effect on them as a result of a certain change rises. This means: the bacteria become resistant. Such resistant bacteria can also be transmitted from one person to others. As a result of the excessive and improper use of antibiotics, more and more resistance is emerging all over the world. For patients suffering from a severe, bacteria-induced disease, this can be lifethreatening. And: anyone can suffer from an infection with resistant bacteria (resistant germs). Therefore, remember: Make conscious use of antibiotics 09
Extensive information on www.antibiotika.nrw.de 10
Dear parents, Every mother and each father wants to spare their child from suffering. This is why you would do anything for your child to become healthy again as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, children are affected by colds and coughs more often than adults, because their immune system has not yet completely developed. But an antibiotic does not help your child against cold viruses! Discuss the therapy which is really sensible for your child together with your doctor and also discuss how drugs can be taken correctly by kindergarten and school children. An antibiotic therapy can also lead to resistance if the drugs are taken wrongly or stopped prematurely. Therefore, remember: Antibiotics only when it makes sense 11
Take antibiotics correctly avoid resistance Only take an antibiotic when it is really sensible and if the drug has been prescribed for you by a doctor. Take the antibiotic for exactly the length of time for which it has been prescribed for you. The objective is to take the antibiotic for as short a time as possible and for as long as necessary. Side-effects should be kept low, but the antibiotic must act for long enough in order to kill off all the bacteria. If bacteria survive, the risk of resistance increases. The right time for intake and the interval between the intakes are important so that the antibiotic is as effective as possible. Please abide precisely by the instructions for use and/or the instructions from your doctor. Talk to your doctor about whether you have to do without certain foodstuffs while taking the antibiotic, so that the drug can act correctly. 12
If you ask, you know more As a patient, always ask for an appointment with your doctor. Ask precisely if you have not understood something or there is something you do not follow. You do not need a prescription drug for every disease. Together with your doctor, consider what is best for your recovery. Get a precise explanation of why a certain drug has - or hasn t - been prescribed for you. You can find extensive information on responsible dealings with antibiotics on www.antibiotika.nrw.de 13
At a glance Antibiotics... are only taken when it is really sensible. are taken precisely according to instructions so that the antibiotic acts correctly (interval in hours, before/after meals, etc.). can trigger allergies and interact with other drugs. Inform your doctor about existing allergies and the other drugs you are taking. are kept as stated in the instructions for use. For example, some antibiotics have to be kept in the fridge. are not compatible with certain foodstuffs (e.g. milk). They can reduce the efficacy of antibiotics. Ask your doctor whether you must do without certain foodstuffs. 14
are not to be taken without medical instruction. are not taken against diseases caused by viruses (e.g. colds) or fungi (e.g. skin infections). are not stopped prematurely, e.g. because the complaints have already receded many of them have to be taken until the end. are not taken as a precaution because you think that you can feel the first symptoms of an illness you have had before. are not taken if they have been left over from an earlier disease which you or a member of your family had. are not bought ahead, e.g. for travelling abroad. are not taken longer than prescribed without medical advice. 15
Imprint Published by Ministerium für Gesundheit, Emanzipation, Pflege und Alter des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (Ministry of Health, Equalities, Care and Ageing in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) Department of Press, Public Relations, Communication Horionplatz 1, 40213 Düsseldorf Telephone: 0211-8618-50 Email: info@mgepa.nrw.de Internet: www.mgepa.nrw.de Design Rheindenken GmbH, Cologne Print: Meuter-Druck GmbH & Co. KG, Düsseldorf Photos/posters: fotolia.com: p. 03 refresh(pix), p. 05 / silencefoto, p. 10 / schmaelterphoto) shutterstock.com : p. 03 / studiovin istockphoto.com: p. 05, p. 10 / johnfoto18 Portrait of Minister Steffens: MGEPA North Rhine-Westphalia/ Berger Cover picture of the Ministry: MGEPA North Rhine-Westphalia/ Ralph Sondermann You can also order this brochure in Turkish ( ), Russian ( ) and at the Ministerium für Gesundheit, Emanzipation, Pflege und Alter des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (Ministry of Health, Equalities, Care and Ageing in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) On the internet: www.mgepa.nrw.de/ publikationen By phone: 0211 837-1001 North Rhine-Westphalia Direct Please state the publication number (V no. 170). 2015/MGEPA 170