The Chemung County Health Department kicks off Antibiotic Awareness Week by celebrating the decrease in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. This initiative strives to combat antibiotic resistance and the “superbugs” that arise from avoidable prescribing of antibiotics. Antibiotics can be appropriately prescribed for bacterial infections but have no effect on viruses. Health Dept. staff have worked to reduce rates by educating both providers and the public on when it’s appropriate to prescribe an antibiotic. Some physicians say they prescribe antibiotics even when they know they are not indicated because of pressure from patients for a post-office visit “takeaway”. There is concern that they might get negative reviews on patient satisfaction forms if patients are denied antibiotics.
