Rational Use of Antibiotics: Escort for Health

In the Arsenal of modern medicine, antibacterial drugs are undoubtedly powerful weapons against bacterial infections. However, like any powerful tool, if used improperly, antibacterial drugs may not only fail to work as well as they should, but also bring a series of adverse consequences. Therefore, it is very important to understand the rational use of antibacterial drugs. Antibacterial drugs, as the name implies, are drugs that can inhibit or kill bacteria. Their discovery and application was an important milestone in the history of medicine and saved countless lives. However, with the passage of time, the irrational use of antibiotics has gradually become a global problem. So, what is the rational use of antibiotics? Simply put, it is to choose the right antimicrobial drugs at the right time, in the right dose, for the right pathogen, and give them to patients through the right way. These seemingly simple “correctness” actually contain rich medical knowledge and rigorous clinical decision-making. First of all, correct diagnosis of infectious diseases is the basis of rational use of antibiotics. Many symptoms, such as fever, cough and diarrhea, are not necessarily caused by bacterial infections. Viral infections, autoimmune diseases and so on may also lead to similar manifestations. If antibiotics are used blindly without a definite diagnosis, it will not only fail to treat the disease, but also delay the disease, and even lead to the imbalance of flora and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, doctors need to accurately determine the type and location of pathogens through detailed medical history inquiry, physical examination, laboratory examination and other means, so as to provide a basis for the selection of appropriate antibiotics. Secondly, the choice of appropriate antibiotics is the key. At present, there are many kinds of antibacterial drugs on the market, and different drugs have different antibacterial activities on different bacteria. When choosing antibiotics, doctors need to consider the sensitivity of pathogens, the severity of infection, the age of patients, underlying disease, liver and kidney function and other factors. In general, for mild infections, narrow-spectrum, low-toxicity antimicrobial agents should be the first choice; for severe infections or drug-resistant infections, broad-spectrum, potent antimicrobial agents may be needed. At the same time, excessive use of new and expensive antibiotics should be avoided in order to avoid accelerating the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. The dosage and course of treatment can not be ignored. If the dosage is too small, it may not reach the effective antibacterial concentration, leading to treatment failure; if the dosage is too large, it may increase the adverse reactions of drugs. If the course of treatment is too short, the bacteria may not be completely eliminated, leading to recurrence of the disease; if the course of treatment is too long, it may lead to the production of drug-resistant bacteria and the imbalance of flora. Therefore, doctors need to formulate individualized medication plans according to the specific conditions of patients, drug instructions and clinical experience. In addition, the choice of route of administration is also exquisite. Oral administration is convenient and economical, and is suitable for patients with mild infection and in stable condition; intravenous administration has quick effect, and is suitable for patients with severe infection and patients who cannot take orally. However, intravenous administration also has the disadvantages of high risk and easy to cause adverse reactions. Therefore, if conditions permit, oral administration should be chosen as far as possible. Special caution should be taken in the use of antibiotics in special groups. The elderly are prone to drug accumulation and adverse reactions due to the decline of liver and kidney function, drug metabolism and excretion capacity; children’s organ development is not yet mature, and their tolerance to drugs is poor; pregnant women need to consider the impact of drugs on the fetus. For these special groups, doctors need to be more careful when choosing antibiotics, weighing the pros and cons, and adjusting the dosage and regimen. In addition to the correct decision making of medical professionals, patients also play an important role in the rational use of antimicrobial drugs. Patients should strictly follow the doctor’s instructions, and should not increase or decrease the dosage, change the course of treatment or stop taking drugs without authorization. At the same time, do not buy and use antibiotics at will to avoid unnecessary exposure to antibiotics. The rational use of antibiotics is a comprehensive problem, which requires the joint efforts of doctors, patients, pharmacists and the whole society. Only in this way can we give full play to the therapeutic effect of antibiotics, reduce the generation of drug-resistant bacteria and protect public health. Let us work together to establish a correct concept of medication, contribute to the rational use of antibiotics, and let this medical weapon continue to play an important role in serving human health. In a word, antibiotics are powerful weapons against bacterial infections, but only rational use can maximize their efficacy and reduce the occurrence of adverse consequences. Let’s work together to protect our health!