Nearly half of seniors are prescribed unnecessary antibiotics because of a common cold

A new study shows that nearly half of elderly patients in Ontario, Canada have been prescribed antibiotics from doctors to treat common colds unnecessarily. This seems to be simple but is actually worth considering.

Specifically, a new study from the Science Institute in London, Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute found that nearly half of older patients do not suffer from dangerous infectious flu, only to a degree. Usually, antibiotics are still prescribed. According to scientists, this is not necessary.

Dr. Marcus Povitz, respiratory therapist at London Health said in a press release: "Unnecessary use of antibiotics, such as antibiotic use for viral infections, is of great concern. Public health concerns the adverse effects of drugs, increasing health care costs and increasing the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant infections'.

Nearly half of seniors are prescribed unnecessary antibiotics because of a common cold Picture 1

Researchers analyzed medical records of 185,014 and 8,990 people 65 years and older with non-bacterial respiratory infections with those who were not clinically appropriate for antibiotic treatment.

Results showed that about 53% had colds, 31% had acute bronchitis, 14% had acute sinusitis and 2% had acute laryngitis.

Research shows that nearly 46% of patients are prescribed antibiotics and 70% of broad-spectrum antibiotics with unnecessary treatment. This is very easy to cause abuse of antibiotics, causing bad reactions such as allergies, cardiovascular, antibiotic resistance .

Dr. Michael Silverman, a scientist and chair of infectious diseases at London's St Joseph's Medical Center, said: " Our research shows that antibiotics are being prescribed too often for things. The lawsuit is unnecessary and the reality is '.

Experts at Western University also added: " Antibiotics are not necessary if abuse can cause serious consequences ."

This research has just been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.