Algorithm reduces use of riskier antibiotics for UTIs

One paradox about antibiotics is that, broadly speaking, the more we use them, the less they continue to work. The Darwinian process of bacteria growing resistant to antibiotics means that, when the drugs don't work, we can no longer treat infections, leading to groups like the World Health Organization warning about our ability to control major public health threats. Because of its ubiquity, one topic that's particularly concerning is urinary tract infections (UTIs), which affect half of all women and add almost $4 billion a year in unnecessary health-care costs. Doctors often treat UTIs using antibiotics called fluoroquinolones that are inexpensive and generally effective. However, they have also been found to put women at risk of becoming infected with other difficult-to-treat bacteria, such as C. difficile and certain species of Staphylococcus, and also to increase their risk of tendon injuries and life-threatening conditions like aortic tears. As a result of this, medical associations have issued guidelines recommending fluoroquinolones as "second-line treatments" that should only be used on a patient when other antibiotics are ineffective or have adverse reactions.