Growing up, I suffered from frequent colds and flu, requiring on-and-off visits to a nearby Child Specialist. Almost every time, the doctor prescribed me an antibiotic named Azithromcin-500 mg twice a day for three days; if I did not recover, then for five days. Since I had (still have) cold-induced Asthma, recovering sooner had always been challenging. What further complicated the situation was my self-realization that these medications were not working on me and I had been deteriorating.
While studying extensively about this issue, I realized that my body had been resistant to Azithromycin and similar antibiotics since my early years. Today, Antibiotic or Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not just a typical issue. Instead, it can be highly life-threatening according to the WHO, while the researchers call it “The silent pandemic.”
Antibiotic or antimicrobial resistance is the resistance or lack of sensitivity of the pathogenic microbes toward the drugs prescribed to kill them. Firstly, as regular consumers, it’s necessary to know the differences – “Antibiotics” are the drugs that usually kill bacteria. On the other hand, “Antimicrobials” encompass a broader range of microbes from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.
Generally, upon frequent and long-term use or misuse of antibiotics/antimicrobial drugs, the target microbes can evolve in your body to produce mutant genes and continue growing, making the drugs ineffective.
Thus, the normal flora within your body can become antimicrobial-resistant when it has immune strains containing microbes, also called Superbugs. For example, bacteria causing pneumonia, dysentery, skin infections, etc.
Anyone, regardless of age, can become resistant to antimicrobial medications. Apart from overuse or misuse of antimicrobials, the mentioned superbugs can also spread passively by entering your body through food, the environment, and even your surrounding people. For instance, foods like milk or meat may come from a resistant poultry animal. Or, you may encounter different superbugs while taking medical care in hospitals through other patients via different mediums. You won’t be surprised to know that these superbugs can exchange their resistant strains with other non-harmful microbes within your body, making it even less susceptible to drugs than before.
You may often hear about patients in critical conditions just because of their system’s reduced ability to fight infections. It was more prevalent during COVID-19 since many patients, for lack of knowledge, had consumed different OTC (Over-the-counter) antibiotics from pharmacies. What’s more shocking was that some doctors were also carelessly prescribing them. It was indeed intensifying the crisis since this led to the generation and spreading of the superbugs, ultimately spreading Antimicrobial resistance. In your body, the superbugs can either limit or deactivate the uptake of the medication, migrate to other body regions, or even change its target.
Some of them can eventually mutate further to become “Multi-drug resistant.”
So, the implications associated with AMR can undoubtedly lead to more complex infections, longer recovery, costly treatments, easier spread of diseases, and additional health risks, including death.
Combating antimicrobial resistance calls for active collaborative tactics at all levels, from community to global initiatives. On top of it all, consistent awareness at the individual level is more crucial. Here’s a basic guideline that you should know and follow:
Open up more to your doctor: Educate yourself on your medications. Share with your doctor your history of using antimicrobials, current symptoms, and any side effects you may be experiencing from any medicine. Also, ask relevant questions and take advice on getting vaccinated (if required). Remember that antimicrobials are not always anti-virals; let your doctor diagnose your condition and prescribe the accurate medication.
Take your measures while consuming antimicrobials: Consider completing the course of your antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs and taking necessary care of any chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, etc. Moreover, taking OTC antibiotics and using old prescriptions has been a common practice that should be readily stopped and encouraged.
Strengthen your immunity: A healthy lifestyle comprising a balanced diet, stress reduction, regular exercise and sleep can naturally protect you against many diseases and infections. Do not hesitate to seek any help for your physical and mental well-being!
Prevent Passive Antimicrobial Resistance: Cook your food correctly, maintain personal hygiene, and ensure healthy food intake as much as possible. You don’t want to be sick from food-borne infections, kill your good gut bacteria, and become antimicrobial-resistant as a bonus! Another point to consider and ensure is the responsible use of antimicrobials in crops and poultry animals.
Support Healthcare Settings: Healthcare facilities should add Infection Control Committees and awareness programs for the improved use of antimicrobials through the combined support of patients and healthcare providers.
Remember, there is always room for you to grow and be aware. While the emergence of advanced medications and healthcare technologies is promising, you must know that these alone won’t suffice without taking the fundamental precautions today. Hence, let’s make it our motto to fight the superbugs and thus contribute meaningfully towards assuring a safer world for the future.