The White House outlines a plan to combat antibiotic resistance at home and abroad. In response to the United States government’s call for action, the AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology) has suggested increasing the use of penicillin skin testing to help as well.
Consider Penicillin Skin Testing to help combat antibiotic resistance. 10% of Americans report a history of penicillin allergy. By reporting this allergy many of these patients are given alternative antibiotics that are much stronger or broad-spectrum than they need to be. This encourages the development of antibiotic resistance in many populations. In truth, 90% of those individuals will tolerate penicillin antibiotics.
The major goals stated in the 60+ page White House report are:
- Slowing emergence and spread of resistant bacterial infections.
- Strengthening national One-Health surveillance efforts
- Advancing the development and use of new rapid diagnostic tests
- Accelerating research and development of new antibiotics, therapeutics and vaccines
- Improving international collaboration for prevention, surveillance, control and research.
Reference:
National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/national_action_plan_for_combating_antibotic-resistant_bacteria.pdf. Accessed March 27, 2015.