Antibiotics Expert

As the weather stays in the lower temperatures, students might feel symptoms such as a fever or sore throat, and want to take left-over antibiotics from a previous illness.

Bacteria in the body can become resistant toward the antibiotic and then unable to work in the future. Dr. Sheila Baker, medical director for health services, said antibiotics should only be used for bacterial infections.

“All antibiotics should be prescribed by a physician and should never be over-the-counter,” she said. “If someone has a confirmed bacterial infection, then they need to take antibiotics.”

Bacterial infections requiring antibiotics include strep throat, some skin infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Baker said some students with frequent bacterial infections could run the risk of becoming resistant to some antibiotics.

“There is concern for resistance, but there are still some affective antibiotics for certain infections,” she said. “In general, there has been an excessive usage of antibiotics for the past several decades, which has caused a lot of resistance.”

Ramona Tomshack, an infection preventionist from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, said tests can be run to know if someone has become resistant toward a certain antibiotic.

“There are a lot of tests we can run to see how sensitive or resistant the organisms are,” she said. “It all depends on the organisms.”

Baker said even if someone does not use many antibiotics, they could still grow a resistance to antibiotics by being exposed to someone who uses them excessively.

“It does not mean everyone is gaining a resistance,” she said. “We just know it is possible,” she said.

Students who overuse antibiotics develop “super bugs.” Super bugs are bacteria that develop a resistance to antibiotics. Baker said students should not use antibiotics for viral infections, such as colds.

“Only when secondary infections come up, such as an ear infection, which is when the antibiotic will be appropriate,” she said. “For colds, over-the-counter medicines can be used to make one feel better, but time only makes it go away.”

Baker said students can prevent both viral and bacterial infections in several ways. “Hand washing, avoiding contact and not sharing items is by far the best way to avoid (infections),” she said. “Keep a healthy immune system.”

Kayla Peters, a senior education major, said she constantly tries to stay clear from bacterial infections.

“I wash my hands, and use hand gels like after using the computer or something,” she said. Peters said students should be conscious of catching and spreading infections.

“If you’re not taking care of yourself then it starts a cycle of taking antibiotics that you can end up being resistant to,” she said.

Baker said students should take a better look and be aware of their antibiotic intake. “The whole United States has to be very conscientious of appropriate antibiotic use,” she said.