Expert warns of antibiotic-resistant superbugs

[Admin]

Expert warns of antibiotic-resistant superbugs
By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation 2011-05-05

The Public Health Ministry must keep a close eye on the spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, as there have been reports of infections by resistant bacteria in Thailand, a health expert has warned.

Teenagers are also advised not to take antibiotics to treat acne, as this could cause drug resistance.

The warning came at an international conference titled "Dealing with Superbugs", which has become a key issue for health experts around the world.

Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand secretary Dr Kumthorn Malathum said there had been reports about patients infected with Escherichia coli with resistance to carbapenems, the antibiotics commonly used to treat many infectious diseases.

Patients have also been found with drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria.

"Enterobacteriaceae are found in the human colon and would cause severe symptoms if there were no drugs to treat them," Kumthorn said.

Irrational and inappropriate use of carbapenems could produce a new drug-resistant strain of bacterium, a so-called "superbug" that could not be treated with drugs, he added.

Superbugs are now spreading in India, prompting the British and Swedish governments to issue announcements warning their citizens against receiving medical treatment in India and other countries in South and Southeast Asia.

"Thailand could face the same situation as India if health agencies cannot control the spread of superbugs," Kumthorn told the conference.

Meanwhile, Kiratika Paenglard of the Family Network Foundation said some parents gave a lot of money to their kids to buy antibiotic drugs to treat facial acne. Once their faces recover, they stop using the drugs instead of finishing the course of prescription.

"This inappropriate drug use among teenagers leads to drug resistance," she said.

Kumthorn suggested people should not use antibiotics to treat inflammatory conditions.

Meanwhile, physicians should advise patients about proper use of drugs and ask them to follow prescriptions strictly. "Doctors should inform patients that antibiotic drugs are not anti-inflammatory," he said.

[isanbirder]

This has been known for years.  Thai pharmacies will give you antibiotics on request for any minor infection... don't take them.  Many of the doctors are just as bad.