Antibiotic awareness week

The emergence of a novel and very lethal bacterium coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic is highly considerable. It could happen.

We have lost respect for the weapon. We all take antibiotics for granted. We assume that if we, our loved ones, or even our pets have an infection that we can go to the doctors or vets for medicines to clear that infection. And in most instances, this is the case. However, an increasing number of bacterial infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This means the bacteria are not affected by our drugs and it might take longer to treat the infection. This can be a major problem for certain infections that need to be treated rapidly.

The World Health Organization observes the World Antibiotic Awareness week every November. It aims to spread global awareness about antibiotic resistance and push for best practices among health workers, general public and policymakers. This year’s main focus is to prevent infections by simple methods — good public health (clean water and food) hand washing, using sanitizers and vaccination. The developing nations are fighting a fierce battle with infectious diseases for a long time. Antibiotic resistance is spreading not only in developing countries but also in developed countries. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant germs are tough and sometimes difficult to treat. In most cases, antibiotic-resistant infections require extended hospital stays, additional doctor visits, costly and toxic alternatives. Antibiotic resistance does not mean the body is becoming unaffected by antibiotics; it means that the bacteria has become resistant to the antibiotics designed to kill them.

WHO has warned that antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health today. Without effective antibiotics, many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Mending broken bones, basic abdominal surgeries and even chemotherapy all rely on access to antibiotics that are effective. There is nothing to worry about, unless we change our behaviour towards micro-organisms and antibiotics. During the 1950s and 1960s antibiotics could easily cure infectious diseases but persistent overuse has led to antibiotic resistance. Studies show that antibiotic resistance will kill about 10 million people every year by 2050. Antibiotics either kill bacteria directly or hamper their ability to grow and reproduce.

The misuse of antibiotics during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to accelerated emergence of antibiotic resistance. Covid-19 is caused by a virus, not a bacteria and therefore antibiotics should not be used to treat viral infections. There is a constant pressure felt by patients who have a virus but insist they need an antibiotic. If you’re feeling under the weather, try simple remedies. For simple coughs and colds, don’t ask for antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work for everything. All diseases cannot be cured by using antibiotics. The patients believe they need an antibiotic for every infection. This belief is created and handed down from generation to generation. Where an antibiotic is prescribed unnecessarily, it can lead to unnecessary adventitious circumstances. And the responsibility for such complications rests with the doctor legally but equally with the patient morally.

If this year has taught us anything, hopefully it is that as a world, we are all in this together. We must address the urgent issues that impact all facets of world health by considering each aspect of the problem through a holistic health approach. Prevention is always better than cure. If each of us takes responsibility to do our part; animal, human, and environmental health will improve and threats like antibiotic resistance can be slowed.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2020.

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