''Myth Busting in Infectious Diseases'': A Comprehensive Review

''Myth Busting in Infectious Diseases'': A Comprehensive Review

Antibiotics have played a pivotal role in modern medicine, drastically reducing mortality rates associated with bacterial infections. Despite their significant contributions, the emergence of antibiotic resistance has become a formidable challenge, necessitating a re-evaluation of antibiotic use pra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 3; p. e57238
Main Authors: Almajid, Ali, Almuyidi, Shatha, Alahmadi, Shatha, Bohaligah, Sarah, Alfaqih, Layal, Alotaibi, Abdulelah, Almarzooq, Albatul, Alsarihi, Asmaa, Alrawi, Zaina, Althaqfan, Rahaf, Alamoudi, Rahma, Albaqami, Sultan, Alali, Alaa H
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Cureus Inc 30-03-2024
Cureus
Subjects:
Antibiotics
Bacteria
Bacterial infections
Bioavailability
Cholangitis
Clinical trials
Drug dosages
Endocarditis
Hospitals
Infections
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases
Internal Medicine
Meningitis
Meta-analysis
Mortality
Neutropenia
Patients
Pediatrics
Pneumonia
Public Health
streptococcus pyogenes
antibiotic resistance
cefazolin
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
urinary tract infections
adverse effects
misconceptions
myths
antibiotics
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Summary:Antibiotics have played a pivotal role in modern medicine, drastically reducing mortality rates associated with bacterial infections. Despite their significant contributions, the emergence of antibiotic resistance has become a formidable challenge, necessitating a re-evaluation of antibiotic use practices. The widespread belief in clinical practice that bactericidal antibiotics are inherently superior to bacteriostatic ones lacks consistent support from evidence in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). With the latest evidence, certain infections have demonstrated equal or even superior efficacy with bacteriostatic agents. Furthermore, within clinical practice, there is a tendency to indiscriminately order urine cultures for febrile patients, even in cases where alternative etiologies might be present. Consequently, upon obtaining a positive urine culture result, patients often receive antimicrobial prescriptions despite the absence of clinical indications warranting such treatment. Furthermore, it is a prevailing notion among physicians that extended durations of antibiotic therapy confer potential benefits and mitigate the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Contrary to this belief, empirical evidence refutes such assertions. This article aims to address common myths and misconceptions within the field of infectious diseases.
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ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.57238