When bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites stop responding to antimicrobial treatments, it is known as antibiotics resistance. Drug resistance increases the risk of disease transmission, serious illness, and death by making antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, which are often used to treat bacteria, ineffective and making it harder or impossible to treat infections.
Antibiotics resistance poses a severe risk to public health everywhere. Each year, millions of people across the world die from drug-resistant infections. While antibiotic-resistant bacteria have existed for millions of years, it has recently become one of the most important threats for survival of infants and children, and the one that is growing. This is because the underdeveloped immune systems of children make them more vulnerable to infectious infections. A new study has found that resistance to antibiotics is leaving children and infants vulnerable to potentially deadly bacterial infections, like sepsis and meningitis.
In this blog, we give a comprehensive review of what antibiotic resistance is, how it happens, and finally identify some actions to mitigate risks.
How antibiotics resistance occurs
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. Antimicrobial resistance is a naturally occurring process. Drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
Possible causes of antibiotics resistance:
Antibiotic overuse:
Antibiotic resistance is a result of using antibiotics when they are not necessary. For example, most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are ineffective. It’s crucial to only take antibiotics as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Antibiotic misuse:
The bacteria seize every chance to multiply. Bacteria begin to multiply if you use someone else’s medication, discontinue therapy too soon, or forget to take one or more antibiotic doses. They are able to alter (mutate) as they proliferate. Drug-resistant mutant microorganisms grow more and more resistant to treatment. Antibiotics can eradicate bacteria that haven’t evolved to become resistant to their treatment, but they don’t kill resistant germs.
Spontaneous resistance:
A bacterium’s genetic composition, or DNA, can occasionally alter or mutate on its own. The antibiotic is unable to attack this altered bacteria properly because it is not recognised. Alterations can also aid the bacteria in resisting the effects of the medication.
Transmitted resistance:
Antibiotic- resistant bacteria can spread from a treated patient to other persons, and they can therefore carry antibiotic- resistant bacteria.
Antibiotic resistant infections
These infections are different from other infections. Infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria:
- Can be harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat.
- May be more expensive to treat.
- Makes medical procedures and treatments – such as surgery, caesarean sections and cancer chemotherapy – much riskier.
- May last for a longer duration of time, sometimes for months.
- May make the child sicker.
- Can harm children by causing serious side effects.
- May require prolonged care.
- Reduces treatment options for people who are sick.
- Can be deadly.
- More medical appointments.
- Increases medical costs
What action can you take?
Everyone can contribute to slowing the spread of antibiotic resistance by taking a few easy measures. Here are a few things that you need to ensure:
- Do not use an antibiotic if they are not necessary.
- Never treat a new infection with antibiotics from an outdated supply.
- Do not give your child antibiotics that have been prescribed to others
- Always take medication as directed by your physician or pharmacist; this includes taking the appropriate amount at the appropriate time
- Never save antibiotics for future illnesses
- Ensure that you give your child the medicine for the prescribed duration Do not stop the medicines when they feel better. Continue the medication for the prescribed time.
Closing thoughts
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword, and when used, we must use them sparingly and prevent overdosing on them. Resistance to any antibiotic can mean a serious problem. It is recommended that you should speak to your child’s doctor if you have any concerns about antibiotic-resistant infections.
