SHARES
Antibiotics are antimicrobial drugs, which fight off bacterial infection in both humans and animals. They kill the bacteria and prevent the bacteria from multiplying. Antibiotics work only in bacterial infections but not in viral infections. As a matter of fact, the rise in antibiotic resistance world wide is posing very serious health threats.
Explaining Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria changes to counter the antibiotics designed to kill them. There are several ways that the bacteria can become resistant. For instance, some bacteria “neutralise” the antibiotic to make it harmless. They also know how to push the antibiotic back outside of the bacteria before it causes any harm. While some bacteria change their wall structure so the drug can’t attach to it, others can become resistant by genetic mutation. The resistant bacteria multiply and replace the bacteria that were killed off. When antibiotic resistance happens, that antibiotic no longer works.
Raising the alarm on Antibiotic Resistance – A Health Threat
Antibiotic resistance is becoming a major threat to healthcare globally. It challenges our ability to treat common infectious diseases such as pneumonia, gonorrhoea, tuberculosis. Successful treatment becomes harder, even impossible to treat sometimes. Consequently, antibiotic resistant infections lead to prolonged hospital stay, higher fatality and higher medical costs.
Why are bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics?
Misuse of antibiotics is the leading cause of emergence and spreading of antibiotic resistance. When people take antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant bacteria survive and multiply. Overuse of antibiotics increase the number of resistant bacteria.
On the other hand, “underuse” of antibiotics likewise accelerates antibiotic resistance too. This happens when people who are not aware, stop antibiotic medication before they complete the dosage course, for whatever reason. This happens frequently where, the bactericidal process is interrupted and, instead spawn antibiotic resistant bacteria. The next time they are prescribed the same antibiotic, it does not work anymore.
When antibiotics are used to treat viral infection like common cold and flu, the bacteria around become resistant as antibiotics are not effective against viral infections. Misuse of the antibiotics for such viral illnesses spread antibiotics resistance.
How to prevent and control antibiotic resistance?
Using antibiotics smartly is the key to prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics. Infection prevention and control also play a vital role. Actions can be taken at all levels of society to prevent the spreading of antibiotic resistance.
Individuals
- Prevention is better than cure. Prevention steps include regular hand washing, proper food hygiene, practicing safe sex, keeping vaccinations up to date.
- Let your doctor or dentist know that you are aware of antibiotic resistance, and ask if there are alternatives without using antibiotics
- Only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary, prescribed by a certified health professional.
- Never request for antibiotics when your doctor says you don’t need them
- Follow doctor’s advice and recommendation, and complete the course of antibiotics. Never skip doses. Never share with others.
- Ask your doctor about vaccination recommendations to prevent bacterial infections applicable to you and your family.
Healthcare professionals
- Infection prevention is key. Ensure your hand, instrument and environment are clean.
- Only prescribe antimicrobial drugs when necessary according to current guidelines, with adequate doses and frequency.
- Educate patients about antibiotic resistance, how to take antibiotics correctly.
- Raise awareness of infection prevention to your patient eg vaccination, regular hand washing, safer sex.
- Report antibiotic resistant infections to surveillance teams.
Healthcare industry
- Research and develop new antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostics
Conclusion
The world urgently needs to be aware of antibiotic resistance, healthcare professionals need to prescribe and their patients use antibiotics wisely. Even if new antibiotics are discovered, without the world’s behavioural change, antibiotic resistance will continue to spread globally and remain a major threat to us.
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References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibiotic resistance questions and answers [CDC]. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 2017. [Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/about/antibiotic-resistance-faqs.html; last updated on 2017 Sept 25; last accessed on 2019 Oct 25]
2. Antibiotic resistance [WHO]. World Health Organisation. 2019. [Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance; last updated on 2018 Feb 5; last accessed on 2019 Oct 25]
by Chang Xian
View all articles by Chang Xian.
