You suffer from a nasty cold with a stuffy nose. What do you do? Most probably you take antibiotics, little aware of the fact that you are contributing to a major crisis! Thinking how the two are connected? Ever since their availability, antibiotics have been the most efficient life-saving drug in the world. But before you think they are a panacea for all your ills, think again!
While antibiotics kill bacteria, they are not effective against viruses. 90 to 98 percent of sinus infections are caused by viruses. But ironically they are the fifth leading reason for antibiotics prescriptions! According to a WHO study, 53% people take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription and 18% save it for later use with an intention to use it next time they have the same symptoms or for other family members. But what people like them do not understand is that they are setting themselves up for deadly antibiotic resistance, which basically means that the antibiotics which help you now may not necessarily do so during a health crisis in the future when you really need it.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Microorganisms constantly evolve to efficiently adapt to new environments and antibiotic resistance is one such adaptation. The ability of microorganisms to grow in the presence of an antibiotic that would normally kill them or limit their growth is called antimicrobial resistance. The bacteria which have become resistant cause infections which cannot be treated with the usual drugs, dosages or concentrations. Bacteria which have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics are called multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria ormore commonly, superbugs.
What causes antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance has become a common phenomenon due to their misuse. It could be in the form of indiscriminate self-medication, prescribing incorrect dosage, not following prescribed dosage, failure to complete the course and excessive use of prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics. Another major reason is prescription of antibiotics to treat viral infections such as the common cold.
Why is antibiotic resistance dangerous?
The availability of antibiotics changed the course of history. Many infections previously not treatable found cure. But with increasing menace of resistant bacteria we are now facing severe infections with little or no antibiotics to cure them. Existing drugs have become less effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Diseases that were easily treatable with mild forms of antibiotics now need to be treated with stronger combination forms of antibiotics. If you are infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria you are more likely to have longer hospital stays and more complicated treatment thereby increasing your medical costs and financial burden. You may be left with potentially untreatable infections increasing the risk of death.
Since the duration of infection is longer, there is a greater risk of spread of resistant microorganisms to others. The antibiotic resistant bacteria may compromise the success of cancer chemotherapy, organ transplantation, etc.
Read: Why antibiotics need warning signs
Common Antibiotic Resistant Infections
Read: Disarm, don't kill bugs, to counter antibiotic resistance
Tips to prevent antibiotic resistance:
Ever since Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have been instrumental in saving human lives and revolutionizing medicine. If we want them to continue to do so for generations to come, we need to stop popping them every time we have a cold!
