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Antimicrobial resistance: What is it all about and ways to prevent it

Here we tell you how you can prevent antimicrobial resistance from your end.

Written by Editorial Team | Published : June 3, 2019 5:09 PM IST

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is basically the ability of a microorganism like parasites, viruses, and bacteria to stop an antimicrobial like antibiotics from acting against it, says WHO. This creates one of the main hurdles in the treatment of a diseases and makes it ineffective. Antimicrobial resistance is considered as a serious threat to global public health. The bacteria and viruses are developing new resistance mechanisms and spreading world-wide, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases. This is leading to prolonged illness, disability, and death. Recently, a new study published in the Journal of PLOS, revealed that specific molecule known as LL-37, which is produced by the body can help combat superbugs (microorganism resistant to antibiotics). While this new research gives us some hope, here we tell you how you can prevent antimicrobial resistance from your end.

Good Hygiene

Practice good hygiene to prevent spread of antimicrobial resistance. Make sure you wash your hands properly, clean your kitchen and bathroom surfaces well, and avoid going to work when you are sick.

Yogurt

Opt for probiotic rich foods like yogurt, kefir etc. as they are known to reduce harmful and resistant bacteria within the gut and also increase the number of good bacteria.