The use of Nalidixic acid in public health

ABSTRACT

From the above study, it is quite evident that nalidixic acid has been successfully used for Salmonellosis other than S typhi, for Shigellosis and for gastroenteritis due to Edwardsiella tarda. The advantage is the shorter course of treatment which is of paramount importance in public health. While at the start of the trials we tried to follow the 2 tablets four times a day administration can be very effective and without untoward symptoms as dizziness. This was well demonstrated in the control of Shigellosis in Bataan. It has to be mentioned that the patients who complained of dizziness were all those with diarrhea. It is envisioned that in future trials, we will use the drug at 2 tablets four times a day during the first 24 hours then reduce the dose to 1 tablet four times a day for the rest of the course. This is the first time that nalidixic acid has been used in specific enteric infections in the Philippines. The practitioner has now an antimicrobial which he can use for enteric infections and effect a cure in a shorter time than other antimicrobials.(Summary)