Drug-resistant germs are making a comeback, posing a serious threat to public health. This phenomenon, known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is raising concerns worldwide as common infections become increasingly difficult to treat.
The PUNCH reports that experts are calling for urgent action to address AMR, a growing crisis that could reverse decades of progress in medicine.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and antiparasitics, are medicines used to fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. However, over time, these microbes can evolve mechanisms to resist the effects of these drugs, rendering them ineffective.
Dr. Oladipo Kolawole, a Medical Virologist and Immunologist, explains, “AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.”
The Impact of AMR
The consequences of AMR are far-reaching. Here’s what’s at stake:
Ineffective treatments: When antibiotics and other antimicrobials fail, infections become much harder to treat.
Increased healthcare costs: Treating drug-resistant infections requires longer hospital stays, more intensive care, and the use of expensive last-resort antibiotics.
Higher risk of complications and death: AMR can lead to severe complications and even death, as infections become untreatable.
Threat to surgeries and procedures: AMR jeopardizes the success of surgeries, cancer therapies, and organ transplants, which rely on effective antibiotics to prevent infections.
The Drivers of AMR
Several factors contribute to the rise of AMR, including:
Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials: This includes taking antibiotics for viral infections when they’re ineffective, incomplete antibiotic courses, and the use of antibiotics in agriculture and food production.
Poor infection control practices: This can happen in healthcare facilities and within communities, leading to the spread of resistant pathogens.
Lack of investment in research and development: There’s a need for new antimicrobials to combat emerging resistance threats.
Combating the Threat
Addressing AMR requires a multi-pronged approach:
Antibiotic stewardship: This involves using antibiotics responsibly and only when necessary.
Improved infection control: Healthcare facilities and communities need to implement rigorous hygiene practices to prevent the spread of resistant infections.
Investment in research and development: More resources are needed to develop new antimicrobials and diagnostics for AMR.
Public awareness: Educating the public on the importance of responsible antibiotic use and good hygiene practices is crucial.
Moving Forward
AMR is a global challenge that demands international collaboration. By implementing the strategies mentioned above, healthcare professionals, scientists, policymakers, and the public can work together to curb the rise of superbugs and ensure the continued effectiveness of life-saving antimicrobials.
Source: Punch news