Antibiotic Resistance: How am I Affected?

Have you ever approached a pharmacist for antibiotics to cure your sore throat, but found yourself being refused from the purchase without a proper prescription from the doctor? You may feel frustrated, but the reason is that healthcare professionals are safeguarding you from antibiotic resistance.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotics are medications that fight infections caused by bacteria. In 1928, Sir Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic – penicillin, which saved millions of lives. However, with the wide prescription of penicillin in the 1940s, resistance to the antibiotic soon emerged. In response, new antibiotics were continuously developed to counteract the ever-growing strains of resistant bacteria. Today, with fewer antibiotics being introduced, resistance can be seen in nearly all antibiotics. Bacterial infections have once again become a threat.

Every time a person takes antibiotics, the good and disease-causing bacteria are killed, leaving behind antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow and multiply. If antibiotics are misused, the natural process described earlier is accelerated, leading to a quickened increase in bacteria that cannot be killed by antibiotic. Some bacteria might also change or adapt with repeated antibiotic exposure. As a result, antibiotics are no longer effective to treat infections that were previously treatable. This phenomenon is known as antibiotic resistance.

What is the Impact of Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotic resistance can cause the recommended antibiotic for an infection to fail. To date, common infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and salmonellosis are becoming harder to treat as antibiotics become less effective. Hence, an alternative medication that could be more expensive or comes with more side effects will be employed instead. A longer duration of treatment may also be required, resulting in increased health care cost.

Besides treating an existing infection, antibiotics are also used to prevent infections. Medical procedures such as organ transplantations, chemotherapy, and caesarean sections require antibiotics. The absence of effective antibiotics can increase the risk of contracting infections during these procedures.

What can You Do to Slow Antibiotic Resistance?

Before starting a course of antibiotics, ask your healthcare professional if you could get better without using antibiotics. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, and most sore throats. If the use of antibiotic is inevitable, always take the antibiotic as instructed by your healthcare professional. Finishing the antibiotic course even if you start to feel better can maximise the chances of clearing the infection.

If you or your loved one is feeling unwell and would like to visit a clinic, make an appointment with GetDoc today!

Reference:

1. Antibiotic resistance questions and answer (CDC) 
2. The antibiotic resistance crisis 
3. Antibiotic resistance (WHO)
4. Questions over advice to finish courses of antibiotics (NHS News) 

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