Majority of Australians who report penicillin allergy not truly allergic
A majority of Australians who report a penicillin allergy are not truly allergic, prompting the peak body for immunologists to change its guidelines. Misdiagnoses occur due to various reasons like confusing side effects with allergies, childhood reactions, or doctor caution, limiting effective treatment options and contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
Why it matters
This widespread misdiagnosis has significant public health implications, potentially leading to less effective treatments, longer hospital stays, and contributing to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance by forcing the use of broader-spectrum antibiotics.
An incorrect diagnosis that a patient has a penicillin allergy can limit treatment options, doctors say. An incorrect diagnosis that a patient has a penicillin allergy can limit treatment options, doctors say. Health Majority of Australians who report penicillin allergy not truly allergic Peak body for immunologists changes guidelines as evidence shows up to 90% of those reporting allergy don’t have one
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Prefer the Guardian on Google The majority of Australians who report a penicillin allergy are not truly allergic, prompting the peak body for immunologists to change its guidelines in a bid to reduce hospitals stays and tackle antimicrobial resistance.
Penicillin, one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in Australia, was thought to cause allergies in 10% of Australians, or about 2.8 million people.
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