One of Meredith Anderson’s worst fears isn’t a conventional college student worry, like passing a class or getting a job.

It’s getting sick – and the resulting consequences.

‘I’m way too busy to get sick,’ Anderson, a freshman nutrition and hospitality management major, said. ‘So anytime I feel like I might, I use Purell or something all the time. I’m constantly taking vitamins or drinking orange juice so I don’t get sick.’

Even though Anderson and many others seek out these preventative measures to avoid illness, they may not be the most effective methods.

Despite the current age of antibiotics, vaccines and bacteria-killing cleaning products, these supposed preventative measures may actually be a detriment to one’s health rather than a help.

The over-prescription of antibiotics due to society’s preoccupation with staying clean and healthy is leading to the creation of ‘superbugs,’ or germs resistant to medicines that destroyed the same bacteria just a few years ago.

A recent study conducted at University Hospital Basel in Switzerland showed despite public awareness of antibiotic over-prescription, doctors are still prescribing antibiotics for ailments like the common cold or other simple viruses.

But the general public is becoming more aware of the consequences of taking too many antibiotics and is questioning what kind of medicine they are being given.

‘We’ve seen increased number of students, although small, that are hesitant to take antibiotics,’ said James Jacobs, director of Syracuse University’s Health Services. ‘They really do want it to be an evidence-based decision because they are knowledgeable and fearful of the consequences of over-prescribing.’

Jacobs added many factors go into the decision to prescribe antibiotics, like symptoms, prescriber and if the patient will be able to receive follow-up care.

Even with more public awareness about antibiotic abuse, it is still a major contribution to drug-resistant viruses and bacteria.

‘I think the over-prescribing of antibiotics and people not following the regiment of antibiotics that they’re supposed to has, over time, contributed to antibiotic resistance,’ said Allison Aiello, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan, who has done studies on antibacterial products and their contribution to germ resistance.

Though antibiotics misuse are a big reason behind the creation of superbugs, there is another, more innocent culprit that could be behind drug resistance – antibacterial soaps and handwashes.

The data Aiello discovered through her studies showed soaps containing triclosan, which is the main germ-fighting ingredient in antibacterial soaps, doesn’t help in fighting germs compared to regular soap.

Another popular preventative supplement was proven ineffective earlier this month. Airborne, a tablet that in earlier advertisements claimed to prevent the flu and cold and ward off harmful bacteria and viruses, settled a 23.3 million dollar lawsuit that claimed Airborne falsely advertised its product.

While the manufacturers of Airborne did not admit to any wrongdoing, the advertisements now speak of the tablet as an immune system booster rather than cold and flu prevention. Airborne is no longer sold in the Syracuse University Health Center pharmacy.

So does this mean all of Anderson’s preventative measures are all for nothing? Not to her.

‘I actually haven’t gotten sick at all this year,’ Anderson said. ‘So I think it’s working, even though it might seem like I’m being overcautious.’

One of Anderson’s favorite methods of fighting off illness is by using Purell, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Purell claims to kill ‘99.99 percent of most common germs that may cause illness in as little as 15 seconds,’ according to its label.

‘I use a lot of Purell,’ Anderson said. ‘I use it a lot whenever I feel like I’m getting sick. I’ve rubbed off on my friends too; I’ve gotten people hooked on Purell.’

And it seems it’s not uncommon. Purell can be seen everywhere from doctor’s offices to dorm rooms to keychains. Purell has made it easy and convenient for people to keep their hands clean whenever and wherever they want.

‘I think a lot of the interest has stemmed from the flu pandemic,’ Jacobs said. ‘But there has been an overall increase in the interest of hand sanitizer products.’

During the flu vaccine shortage in 2005, SU Health Services had Purell dispensers installed in dining halls across campus to promote prevention and try to avoid the spreading of germs, said James Ponzi, senior manager of SU Food Services

He added the dispensers are replaced often, and it appears students are using them frequently.

‘It’s just another layer of protection we added for students to prevent the spread of bacteria where there’s a lot of hand to mouth contact,’ Ponzi said.

Jacobs said he would like to see the placement of Purell dispensers in other places on campus such as offices, conference rooms, residences halls and bathrooms.

‘Hand hygiene is one of the most useful ways to prevent the spread of the flu,’ Jacobs said. ‘And the common cold and stomach bugs and mono.’

But not everyone is convinced of Purell’s ability to ward off harmful bacteria and viruses.

Samantha Dolph, a freshman photography major, does not use Purell because of what she has heard about drug-resistant bacteria.

‘My mom was telling me about supergerms,’ she said, ‘and I guess I just don’t want to contribute to making them by using things like that.’

Jacobs and Aiello both said there is no evidence Purell contributes to the formation of resistant bacteria, as the alcohol-based solution evaporates and leaves nothing on the hand to create bacteria immunity.

Though it seems no matter how effective or ineffective a preventative measure is for warding off illness, people will rush to try it out.

‘I feel like if someone coughs, all their germs are in the environment, then I just use Purell or vitamins or something,’ Anderson said. ‘I’m terrified of getting mono. It’s my goal to get through all four years without getting it.’

eaconnor@syr.edu

Published on March 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm