Antibiotics Overprescribed for Possible STDs: Study | WPN World People News

Three-quarters of emergency room patients who received antibiotics to treat suspected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) tested negative for the infections, a new study showed.

"We have to find the appropriate balance between getting people tested and treated for STDs, but not prescribing antibiotics to patients who don't need them," said researcher.

Genital cultures are often collected from patients with possible symptoms of STDs, but results are not immediately available, the investigators noted.

For the study, the researchers examined the medical records of more than 1,100 patients who underwent STD testing in the emergency room.

Forty percent were treated with antibiotics for suspected gonorrhea and/or chlamydia. Of those, more than 75 percent ended up testing negative for the STDs.

Among the 60 percent of patients who did not receive antibiotics, 7 percent tested positive for one of the STDs.

"There is a tricky balance between not furthering antibiotic resistance by over-prescribing, but also still getting people treatment for STDs they might have," expert said.

Experts continue to sound alarms about the overuse of antibiotics in the United States.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly a third of antibiotics prescribed in doctors' offices, emergency rooms and hospital-based clinics in the U.S. are not needed," said expert.

"Improving the use of antibiotics is a national and international priority to help prevent antibiotic resistance, which would threaten our ability to treat even the simplest of infections," added expert.

Source: HealthDay News