Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotics are one of the most important discoveries of modern medicine, saving millions of lives by treating infections caused by bacteria.

A Public Health Concern

Although antibiotics kill most bacteria, some will survive. The bacteria that survive have developed resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when the bacteria cannot be killed by an antibiotic.

Using antibiotics when they are not needed can lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics will not kill resistant bacteria and, even worse, resistance can be transferred from one bacterium to another. Antibiotics are specific and are only effective against bacterial infections.

It is important to remember that it is the bacteria that are resistant, not the individual. Even very healthy people who have never taken an antibiotic can become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. That is why antibiotic resistance is a public health issue: the public needs to use antibiotics wisely so that individuals are not adversely affected.

With the exception of pneumonia, most respiratory tract infections resolve on their own, without antibiotics. Infections that are due to viruses include colds, influenza (the "flu"), croup, laryngitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, most sore throats as well as some ear and sinus infections. Viruses do not need antibiotics. Although ear and sinus infections are often bacterial in etiology, they are almost always preceded by viral infections and usually resolve without antibiotics. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends watchful waiting as the preferred treatment for ear infections in children over the age of 6 months to see if the infection will go away on its own.

(above excerpt was adapted from information provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control)

The best thing that you can do to stop the spread of infection is to wash your hands.

Do Bugs Need Drugs? Program and Surveillance Strategies

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has a program called “Do Bugs need Drugs?"

Antibiotic Resistant Organisms and Colostrum Difficile

Staff working at the Yukon Hospital Corporation regularly screen patients for Antibiotic Organisms such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant enterococcus (VRE). The admitting nurse shall asks new acute admissions and outpatients the following questions:

• Have you been hospitalized or had an Emergency admission for more than 24 hours in the last six months? If yes “What hospital/ province/ country?”
• Have you been in contact with patients who are MRSA or VRE positive? If yes, have you had MRSA or VRE screening cultures done?
• Have you ever tested positive for MRSA or VRE? If yes, have you subsequently had cultures taken that have tested negative?

The responses to these answers help staff identify what if any infection control precautions may need to be put in place to protect you and others from the spread of infection.

Visit the links below for more information on Antibiotic Resistant Organisms and Clostridium Difficile (C-Diff):