Our bodies can be very vulnerable, and sometimes even the things that are supposed to protect us can harm us. Antibiotics are one of those things. Researchers discovered that there are cases when infections can be caused by antibiotics. A recent research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found out that the number of such infections has increased dramatically in the last years.
Clostridium difficile
Among the infections that have appeared more often we can find infections caused by Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff. These infections are very hard to treat, and this bacterium can be found almost everywhere.
Where can you find C. Diff
It has been discovered that patients that had C. dig infections usually take antibiotics. However, antibiotics do not destroy only the bad bacteria, but the protective bacteria as well, leaving patients very vulnerable to C. diff.
Since most hospitals use antibiotics in their treatments, which can allow C. diff bacteria to spread. Then doctors have to use another antibiotic for this bacterium, but it becomes increasingly harder to find a treatment that works.
Ironically, enough the reason why these infections appear frequently is the overuse of “specific antibiotics, namely fluoroquinolones,” according to Clifford McDonald, M.D., associate director for science in the division of healthcare quality promotion at the CDC.
How to stay safe
In order to protect yourself from these infections you might have to make a little research when it comes to hospital. “To find out if your hospital makes infection prevention a priority, ask the hospital if they have an antibiotic stewardship program, which helps ensure that drugs are used appropriately,” explains Lisa McGiffert, director of Consumer Reports’ Safe Patient Project.
If you are already a patient makes sure that medics don’t overuse antibiotics and talk constantly with your doctors about it. Additionally, make sure that hygiene is respected: “keep your own hands clean by washing regularly with soap and water.”
