Real-life issues and medical advice

Our expert answers your medical questions

What is antimicrobial resistance and is it something I should worry about?

The World Health Organisation has declared antimicrobial resistance a top global health threat. A lot of infections are caused by viruses for which we shouldn’t be using antibiotics at all. Other conditions for which antibiotics are often used are relatively minor. We have to consider if it is worth using them in this instance, and risking their effectiveness to treat more serious conditions. Bacteria change over time and if they are exposed to antibiotics, they become resistant, whereas if they are not exposed there is no advantage to being resistant. If we stop using antibiotics when they are not really needed, bacteria without resistance can become more predominant and antibiotics are more likely to become effective again. So it is definitely worth putting in the effort. The big worry is that if overuse continues, and antibiotic resistance gets worse, hospitals will not be able to carry out operations because they rely on strong combinations of antibiotics to prevent patients who have had surgery from developing infections and dying from sepsis. Overuse of antibiotics leads to the emergence of superbugs like MRSA (Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. diff (Clostridium difficile) which are causing an increasing number of deaths. New strains of bacteria might also emerge that antibiotics cannot fight. And truly innovative new antibiotics are very slow in coming so we must preserve those we already have as a precious resource.

I have had oral thrush and continue to have problems. What should I do?

Oral thrush is quite common and residual symptoms can occur. The risks of thrush are increased by taking antibiotics, inhaled steroids for asthma after which you should rinse your mouth, cancer treatment, diabetes and smoking. Symptoms are a sore or burning sensation, unpleasant taste or loss of taste, red mouth and/or white patches. Treatment is with an anti-fungal liquid or a lozenge, which sufferers let melt in their mouths.

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