From 18-24 November 2024, we will celebrate the World Antibiotic Awareness Week, which was established by the World Health Organisation in 2015.
- Poland is at the forefront of antibiotic misuse (7th place among OECD countries).[1]
- Two million people a year die from infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide, and by 2050. - if the situation remains unchanged - there will be 10 million deaths a year from it - that's more than from cancer. [2]
– Acute pharyngitis and palatal tonsillitis are the most common causes of antibiotic overuse in Poland. [3]
– Sore throat is one of the main reasons for overuse of antibiotics*.35% people who have ever used antibiotics to treat an infection with sore throat admit,
That they did so without a doctor's recommendation.[4]
- In as many as 90% patients, the main cause of throat pain is viral infections caused by rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, influenza viruses and paragrpa viruses, among others; only the remaining 10% are bacterial infections (e.g. Streptococcus pyogenes).[5]
Symptoms associated with a viral infection gradually resolve after 3-4 days, whereas a bacterial infection can last 8-10 days.
- we have tools at the POZ in the form of strep tests to distinguish between viral and bacterial infection.
- the unjustified use of antibiotics and their use not in accordance with recommendations leads to the development of antibiotic resistance.
[1] https://pulsmedycyny.pl/kadry/lekarze/raport-oecd-polska-w-czolowce-krajow-przepisujacych-najwieksza-ilosc-antybiotykow/
[2] https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/choroby-zakazne/aktualnosci/220610,coraz-powazniejszy-problem-infekcji-bakteriami-opornymi-na-antybiotyki
[3] https://www.termedia.pl/Diagnostyka-i-leczenie-wybranych-infekcji-oraz-stanow-zapalnych-drog-oddechowych-Wytyczne-dla-lekarzy-POZ,98,45690,1,1.html
[4] IPSOS commissioned by Reckitt - Antibiotic resistance - knowledge, understanding and attitudes among Poles, representative sample, June 2022.
[5] https://www.termedia.pl/Diagnostyka-i-leczenie-wybranych-infekcji-oraz-stanow-zapalnych-drog-oddechowych-Wytyczne-dla-lekarzy-POZ,98,45690,1,1.html
