Overuse of antibiotics is continuing problem

Health Beat

The overprescription of antibiotic drugs has become a growing problem in the United States, and at JMU, according to local doctors.

In a close-knit community such as a college campus, students are in atypical situations — such as living in dorms with numerous others and being in large classes with random students — that make them more susceptible to infections, according to Dr. Jonathan Malone of the University Health Center.

"A lot of what we see is viral, but antibiotics cure only bacteria, not viruses," he said.

According to a Health Center newsletter, "Most illnesses are caused by two kinds of germs — bacteria and viruses."

Bacteria causes "strep throat, some ear infections and pneumonia," it stated, and viruses cause "the common cold, most coughs, bronchitis and the flu."

Ann Simmons, associate director of health promotions, said flu shots are offered at the Health Center, but, as of Nov. 12, there only are 168 remaining.

The problem eventually becomes bacteria's resistance to the antibiotic, which sometimes can be the case, and "resistant infections can be passed to others," according to a Health Center pamphlet.

According to www.medlineplus.gov, "Of the 235 million doses of antibiotics taken each year, health officials estimate that up to 50 percent are not necessary."  

Resistance also can occur when people don't finish their medication, according to the Web site.

However, students, parents and people outside the JMU community still demand medication, Malone said.

"Patient and family pressure is, I would say, the No. 1 leading cause for overprescription," he said. It's difficult to determine if an infection is viral or bacterial, but the Health Center "cautiously and judiciously prescribes an antibiotic," he said.

Malone also said the Health Center is limited in what it can do for students.

In the case of a viral infection, however, Malone said students simply "need to ride it out."

Aside from a physician and the Health Center, recommended Web sites include www.familydoctor.org, www.medlineplus.gov and www.webmd.com.