TOGETHER WE CAN BEAT THE SPREAD OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

by SGT University Best University in Gurgaon

ne of the most influential medical advancements in history is the development of Antibiotics. Earlier it was very easy to treat any bacterial infections with antibiotics; but now, curing simple bacterial infections has also become a challenge. If we look at today’s scenario doctors are facing problems even for treating a simple Staphylococcal infection by Methicillin drug. Earlier to treat enteric fever, antibiotics that have been traditionally incorporated in the therapy were Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, Tetracycline, and Ciprofloxacin, but it has been observed that organism which is responsible to cause enteric fever is becoming resistant to most of the antibiotics; Recent emergence of extensive drug resistance Salmonella Typhi strain have also imposed a major threat even to treat enteric fever with simple antibiotics. One of the biggest healthcare threats we are facing today is Antibiotic resistance. Annually, more than 50,000 newborns are estimated to die from sepsis; due to pathogens resistant to first-line antibiotics. Neonates and elderly are thought to be worse affected incoming days. Two million deaths are projected to occur in India due to antibiotic resistance by the year 2050.

If we look at the data of how day to day these superbugs are becoming resistance to various antibiotics, it is no longer where within a few years it will become a challenge to treat bacterial infections by antibiotics.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

It is the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive. Bacteria have developed several mechanisms to fight against antibiotics like not letting the antibiotic in, pumping it out of the cell wall and even changing the shape of receptor to which the antibiotics bind.

What has really lead to developing this antibiotic resistance???

Antibiotics are mainly used to treat bacterial infections, but many times even for treating viral infections we consume antibiotics; which can lead the development of antibiotic resistance by bacteria. All of us are somehow knowingly or unknowingly responsible for this condition; as most of us are unaware of how and when to use antibiotics properly. For example, most of us do not pay attention to follow the course duration of antibiotics prescribed to us by doctors, similarly lengthy courses of treatment with antibiotics, overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming also plays a vital role in developing resistance mechanism

Due to the continuous emergence of antibiotic resistance, it is now becoming difficult to treat the infections. The diseases which used to get controlled easily, is now taking a longer period of time to get treated. It also has an adverse effect not only on the health, however on the economy as well due to prolonged stay in hospitals. Every individual plays a critical role to prevent antibiotic resistance, by following some basic rules like educating their family and friends about using the right antibiotic for the right illness, get vaccinated in order to prevent illness, not to ask antibiotics from healthcare workers when it is actually not needed, finish the course of antibiotics prescribed by doctors, practicing the habit of hand washing more frequently to prevent the transmission of superbugs and limiting the use of antibiotics in animal farming. Therefore together we all can fight up against the spread of antibiotic resistance by following adequate measures and by using antibiotics wisely.

BY: Suchandra Gupta

Pursuing PhD

Lecturer

Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

Best Private University in India