Antibiotic Resistance

PSM News /

Antibiotics are the medicines that prevent and treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics; when used properly can save lives. Using antibiotics frequently can lead to antibiotic resistance.

 

In recent times, there has been a growing problem of antibiotic resistance in and around the world. Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria changes in response to the use of these antibiotic medicines and become able to resist the effects of an antibiotic.

 

According to WHO; Antibiotic / Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microbes to resist the effects of drugs – which means, the germs are not killed, and their growth is not stopped. Although some people are at greater risk than others, no one can completely avoid the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections. Infections with resistant organisms are difficult to treat, requiring costly and sometimes toxic alternatives.

 

Bacteria will unavoidably find ways of resisting the antibiotics developed by humans, which calls for ways to keep new resistance from developing and prevent the resistance that already exists from spreading. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria may infect humans and animals, and the infections they cause are more difficult to treat than those caused by non-resistant bacteria.

 

Some of the key facts include:

 

  • Antibiotic resistance is one of the leading threats to global health, food security, and development today.
  • Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone at any age.
  • Antibiotic resistance arises naturally, yet the misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process.
  • Antibiotic resistance leads to a number of infections – such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and gonorrhoea which are becoming difficult to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective.
  • Antibiotic resistance leads to hospitalization, higher medical costs and increased mortality.

Steps can be taken to help prevent antibiotic resistance:

 

  • Antibiotics don't work on viruses. Don't use antibiotics for viruses like cold or flu.
  • Never suggest your doctor to find you antibiotics even when it’s not needed.
  • Follow the directions carefully, while taking antibiotics. Finish your medicine even if you feel better. If you stop treatment too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect you.
  • Never share or use leftover antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance will remain a major threat to mankind. PSM India urges its readers to be cautious and refrain from using antibiotics when not needed. The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics.