Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics and the Risk for Delayed Admission and Masked Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

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Abstract
INAPPROPRIATE USE of antimicrobial drugs is a serious medical and societal problem. It fosters the emergence of resistant microorganisms; produces unwarranted allergic reactions, toxic effects, and expenditures; and can mask the correct diagnosis and delay appropriate therapy. These problems were well recognized soon after the antibiotic era began almost 60 years ago1 and have accelerated ever since.2-6 The situation may become worse as managed care compels physicians to spend less time with patients and perform fewer diagnostic tests, pharmaceutical companies increase patient expectations by direct advertising to consumers, and pressures are exerted to permit systemic antibiotics to become available without prescription in developed countries.7-10