Antibiotics Overdose: Overprescribed antibiotics under CDC's microscope

摘要

As Ebola ravaged areas in West Africa this summer, medical experts around the world tried to calm fears that the deadly virus would spread to other countries. An Ebola outbreak is unlikely in places like the United States, Japan or Switzerland that have strong healthcare response capabilities. There is, however, another global health threat sickening two million people each year in the United States alone and killing at least 23,000 of them-antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as superbugs. Infectious disease experts point to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics as the major cause of superbugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that immediate action must be taken before life-saving antibiotics are no longer effective. Last year, the CDC reported about half of antibiotics prescribed by doctors in the United States went to people who didn't actually need them. Overuse and misuse of health treatments and services are two problems affecting healthcare quality and cost.