According to a report by Santé Publique France, the consumption of antibiotics is on the rise again in France in 2021, particularly among children aged 0 to 4. But this report should be taken with a grain of salt. The details of Martin Ducret, doctor and journalist at Doctor’s Daily.
franceinfo: First of all, what does this report say?
Martin Ducret: This report looks at the consumption of antibiotics by the French during the year 2021. And it notes an increase in the consumption of this type of medicine compared to the year 2020. An increase which mainly concerns children from 0 to 4 years old.
Why should we look at this report with hindsight?
Quite simply because the rebound observed concerns the year 2021 compared to the year 2020. However, 2020 is a unique year. Containment and barrier gestures have led to a reduction in winter infections and, consequently, a marked drop in the consumption of antibiotics. And inevitably, the return to a more “normal” life in 2021 has led to a resurgence of infections and antibiotic prescriptions.
Finally, if we smooth the figures over the last 10 years, the consumption of antibiotics shows a moderate and regular decrease between 2011 and 2021. The increase observed in 2021 is therefore very relative, and has not reached the level before the Covid crisis.
Does this report nevertheless provide a reminder of the consumption of antibiotics?
Yes quite. Despite this decline in consumption over the last decade, France remains one of Europe’s worst performers in terms of overprescribing antibiotics. It is in fourth position, behind Greece, Romania and Bulgaria.
In my practice, and this is the case for many colleagues, I still too often have to remind my patients that antibiotics are drugs that are only effective against bacteria. However, the vast majority of infections in cold weather are viral (secondary to a virus): colds, nasopharyngitis, bronchitis, flu, Covid or even angina, most of them heal spontaneously in a few days and with rest. Generally, when there is no particular health problem, the immune system manages to fight the virus on its own.
Of course, drugs such as paracetamol, for example, can help to better support the symptoms of the infection. But beware, the vast majority of treatments sold without a prescription at the pharmacy, such as cough syrups to name a few, are no more effective than a placebo. It is therefore better to opt for the good old methods of grandmother: a grog with honey and lemon to soothe sore throats, salt water to unclog the nose and sinuses or even inhalations to breathe better.
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