The abuse of antibiotics might sound not so serious or a bit cliche; it actually isn't. Antibiotic abuse has been classified by the WHO as one of the biggest threat to global health today. It has become a matter everyone should be concerned about and properly enlightened.
A lot of people buy antibiotics over the counter and use it without a doctor's prescription. Most even use it on cases which doesn't require an antibiotic. For instance, an antibiotic drug has no effect over small viral infections like a flu or the common cold. A viral infection usually runs its course and goes on its own; or is treated with antiviral drugs if need be. Using antibiotics to this effect will only brew antibiotic resistant bacteria in your body.
Let's briefly take a look at the definition of antibiotics and it's basic uses.
Antibiotic, also called antibacterials are a type of antimicrobial drug used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. They may either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Some common illnesses that can be treated with antibiotics are tuberculosis, gonorrhea, meningitis, sepsis, urinary tract infection, syphilis, hearing and eye problems, and so many others. If the ailment is caused by bacteria, antibiotics will get rid of it.
Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic. This happens when the bacteria evolves and changes its characteristics; there by making it difficult for antibacteria to kill it as it keeps multiplying and spreading its resistant traits.
I hope your beginning to get a clearer picture of why antibiotic resistance is dangerous. Imagine if one contracts tuberculosis, he begins usual treatments and antibiotic therapy. If the bacteria in his body is resistant to the antibiotics he's taking, he won't feel any better and the ailment will only worsen... it could worsen to the extent of brain damage or death.
There are so many factors that could lead to antibacterial resistance. Some of them are:
Genetic mutation/ evolution: Bacteria have a very clever way of avoiding the attack of antibodies. Some bacteria have the ability to change their outer structure in order to avoid antibiotics coming into them. Some have also developed the ability to neutralise antibiotics to minimal dosages that they become ineffective. Some bacteria even go as far as secreting enzymes that can destroy antibiotics.
Natural Resistance: bacteria are ancient organisms and some species carry ancient genes that confer resistance. This is known as environmental resistome. If this gene is transferred to disease causing bacteria, it brews a new generation of resistant disease causing bacteria that eventually become a nuisance.
Antibiotic Drug Abuse
This is the major cause of resistance. The over use or under use of antibiotics leaves room for bacteria to evolve. First, a lot of people don't even see a doctor in order to get prescription for antibiotics, they buy over the counter and use as they deem fit. Some patients who seek for prescription usually don't take the drug as prescribed. They end up missing some doses or they stop taking the antibiotics when they feel better, not knowing that the bacteria isn't totally dead; this action gives the bacteria an opportunity to resuscitate, come back stronger and multiply.
Veterinary Use of Antibiotics
A lot of animals carry resistant bacteria in their gut. This is due to the fact that some farmers abuse veterinary antibiotics by using it as a growth promotion enhancer. Now these animals poop and release to plants and the environment. If one eats the meat of the animal or the infected plants without carefully cooking it, they are at risk of ingesting some resistant bacteria.
Prevention
There are some basic steps that can be taken to prevent antibacterial resistance
- Proper use/prescription of antibiotics: You can help reduce the menace of resistant bacteria by not buying and using antibiotics just for the sake of it. You should only use when prescribed by a doctor. A lot of procedures have been put in place in most hospitals to encourage proper use of antibiotics. Most GP or doctors who write antibiotic prescription can only do so after conclusive test have been conducted; and they have to write a detailed reason for the prescription and properly emphasize dosage while they also lecture the patient on how not to abuse antibiotics, and the dangers involved.
Hygiene:At the end of the day, if one practices proper hygiene, chances of acquiring resistant bacteria from the environment are reduced. Washing of hands and keeping the surroundings clean are key factors. This also greatly reduces episodes of diarrhea and there by reduces the use of antibiotics.
Management in animal use: There's currently a lot of awareness going on concerning the dangers of abusing veterinary antibiotics. Lot's of organizations and NGO's are rallying farmers to better educate them in order to avoid continuous cycles.
Antibiotics Awareness Week
This happens to be this week and the WHO in collaboration with several government agencies are seriously creating awareness as this issue is a serious one. A lot of research has been funded and it is currently on going, scientists strive to find much more potent antibiotics that can help combat or reduce resistance.
Imagine a situation where basic infections you were previously able to easily treat becoming uncurable because of resistance, that's deadly. Resistance can be combatted just by we all working together and trying to do our own little individual parts.
I hope i have been able to enlighten you properly about the menace of antibiotic resistance.
Thank you for reading.
All image sources are stated in text.
Until my next post,
Stay healthy
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