Too Many Antibiotics

By Justin Foss, Reporter

Tools

By Justin Foss

Story Created: Oct 19, 2007 at 5:29 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2007 at 4:27 AM CST

Cedar Rapids - If you've ever gone to the doctor expecting to get a pill to make you better, you're probably part of a growing trend.

And it's not a good trend.

Doctors say a society of pill poppers is spreading a new antibiotic resistant bacteria, called MRSA - better known as the super-bug.

You go to see your doctor, and they say they don't have any drugs to treat you. You'll have to tough it out.

"It makes me feel like what was the point of going to the hospital," said a young mother.

Doctors say it's that attitude that is contributing to the recent super-bug scare. It's an infection causing bacteria, that is resistant to many antibiotics.

"So now we're left with using our stronger antibiotics," said Dr. Rob Braksiek. "Essentially we're running out of antibiotics at this point."

Braksiek says they do have some antibiotics that do treat the bacteria.

The problem isn't new, doctors used to treat it with pills, but they've found some people now have an antibiotic resistant form. Doctors and medical professionals are attributing that to using those antibiotics too much.

"Its not just parents," said Carol Watson, Senior VP of Clinical Services. "I think a lot of people go to the physician and think if I don't come away with a prescription, whether its an antibiotic or a pain pill, then I truly haven't had a good visit."

"Yeah, I feel like that sometimes too," said another mother from Cedar Rapids. "Because I have kids, when I bring my kids to the doctor, I expect them, to give them something. Or, they'll be back in there a week later."

Yet, some folks KCRG TV 9 spoke with said the expectation wasn't that they needed a drug, but that the doctor would give one anyway.

And that makes this a battle where both sides need to fight together.

Many hospitals have already taken measures to limit the spread of this disease. Mercy Medical Center says one of the reasons they started using private rooms is because of MRSA.

Mercy has also started screening patients before they're treated for some of the warning signs of MRSA.

The only way to tell if you are carrying MRSA is to get a lab test with your doctor.

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