 |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 4, 2008 |
CONTACT Lori Maldonado |
Efforts to Caution Public About Antibiotic Misuse UnderwayDENVER-State health officials have launched a public awareness campaign to highlight appropriate antibiotic use. The campaign will run through March and features radio and television public service announcements and a guideline to help health care providers communicate more effectively with their patients so they have a better understanding of when to expect or request antibiotics. Kelly Kast, coordinator of Get Smart Colorado at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, explained, "Antibiotics are helpful in treating illnesses caused by bacteria, not viral illnesses such as the flu, bronchitis and most sore throats and coughs. If people take antibiotics when they don't need them, it puts them at risk for developing an infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Resistance means the bacteria are out-smarting the drugs available to treat them." Kast said the treatment of bacterial illnesses is becoming more difficult due to antibiotic resistance. "Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use is a critical component of the efforts to combat this public health concern in our communities," she said. In January, English and Spanish bus shelter billboards were displayed in Colorado Springs and Pueblo to highlight the issue of antibiotic misuse. The guideline, entitled, "Appropriate Use of Antibiotics in Acute Respiratory Infections," is available to provide guidance to clinicians on appropriate care for illnesses such as coughs, sore throats, sinus infections and ear aches. For a copy of the guidelines, visit www.coloradoguidelines.org or call 720-297-1681 or 1-866-401-2092. ---30--- |
|