Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation: self-administration of antibiotics complicates the treatment of sepsis

It is critically important not to prescribe antibiotics on your own, because if they are used incorrectly, it is more difficult for doctors to make a decision on treating a patient, said Roman Kozlov, chief freelance specialist of the Russian Ministry of Health in clinical microbiology and antimicrobial resistance, rector of Smolensk State Medical University.

A round table dedicated to World Sepsis Day was held on Thursday at the International Multimedia Press Center of the Rossiya Segodnya media group.

“The prescription of an antibiotic is the exclusive prerogative of the doctor. And this thing must be remembered, because, yes, on the one hand, it seems that with septicism, because this is a systemic inflammation plus a confirmed or suspected infection, antibiotics must be prescribed. On the other hand, it is critically important not to prescribe it yourself, because in the case of an incorrect and inadequate prescription, it is very difficult for us to make a decision about treating the patient,” Kozlov said.

He added that approximately 49 million people worldwide die from sepsis every year, and at least 10% of cases are associated with highly resistant or highly resistant to antimicrobials (antibiotics) pathogens.