Antibiotic Resistance: 5 Must-Know Facts
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that are found almost in every location on Earth. In fact, scientists have found bacteria living in Antarctic ice! There is also plenty of bacteria in the human body, such as probiotics, that help keep us healthy.
Of course, there are also a lot of bacteria that can cause diseases. Some examples include cholera, leptospirosis, pneumonia, and sexually transmitted infections. Indeed, there are literally hundreds of illnesses that can be caused by bacteria. What’s worse is that many of these diseases are easily transmissible.
Fortunately, modern medicine has come up with antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Technology has also contributed in terms of wider and faster accessibility. Nowadays, you can search “buy medicine online Philippines” and you’ll find reliable drugstores and pharmacies where you can purchase your antibiotics. Do note that they’re prescription medications, so you need to provide the appropriate documents to be able to make a purchase (online or otherwise).
That said, there’s a global health emergency that concerns bacteria and antibiotics: antibiotic resistance. Indeed, more and more infections around the world are becoming more difficult to treat with antibiotics; if the situation is left to continue, it can result in easily treatable diseases becoming incredibly deadly.
What Is Antibiotic Resistance?
Understanding antibiotic resistance is the first step in preventing and controlling its spread. Essentially, antibiotic resistance is when bacteria aren’t killed by the antibiotics designed to destroy them. Remember that humans don’t become antibiotic-resistant, it’s the bacteria (and other germs) that develop this over time.
Once a bacteria is antibiotic-resistant, it becomes difficult or even impossible to treat the diseases they cause. A patient may stay in the hospital for a prolonged period, or require a combination of strong drugs that can treat the condition but may also result in toxicity.
Why Is There Antibiotic Resistance?
Bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance the more they are exposed to antibiotics. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Rather, you should use the medications properly. If your doctor prescribes you antibiotics, make sure to finish the entire course of treatment even if you’re already feeling well. This ensures that the bacteria in your body are completely eliminated and can do no further harm.
Remember as well that antibiotics are for bacterial infections. This means that antibiotics won’t work on the common cold or any other viral conditions. In addition, not all diseases require medicines let alone antibiotics. If you keep on misusing or abusing antibiotics, it will force bacteria to adapt and develop resistance.
Why Is Antibiotic Resistance a Public Health Concern?
As bacteria get more resistant to antibiotics, infections get more difficult to treat and even the simplest infections will require hospitalization; worse, even minor injuries like a small wound that gets infected can result in death. Another consequence of antibiotic resistance is that infectious diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia will spread faster.
Note that there are already plenty of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These include Mycobacterium tuberculosis which causes tuberculosis and Clostridium difficile which causes diarrhea. If the trend isn’t stopped, many more bacteria will be able to adapt faster than we can develop treatments.
Can a Bacterial Infection That’s Resistant to Antibiotics Still Be Treated?
Fortunately, there are antibiotics that can be used to treat antibiotic-resistant infections. A good example is linezolid, which is particularly effective for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Unfortunately, linezolid is expensive; one tablet can cause thousands of pesos and most treatment regimens require at least a week of taking the medicine.
Doctors can also prescribe a combination of strong antibiotics, although the patient should be monitored closely in case they develop other medical conditions.
What Can I Do to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance?
One of the best things you can do to prevent antibiotic resistance is to not take antibiotics unless prescribed. Again, antibiotics are for bacteria. If you don’t know what caused your illness or if it’s caused by a virus, don’t take antibiotics! Not only will the medicine not work, but it can also kill helpful bacteria in your body.
Another preventive measure for antibiotic resistance is to take it as prescribed. If the doctor says to take it every 8 hours for 14 days, do it! Set alarms or reminders, especially for doses scheduled in the middle of the night, so you don’t forget.
If, for any reason, the pharmacist gave you excess antibiotics, don’t use them if you get sick in the future. Different antibiotics are needed for different conditions; even if you reacquire the same infection (e.g., UTI), your condition may not be exactly the same as the previous case. You may need a stronger dose or a different antibiotic altogether.
Awareness is one of the best defenses against antibiotic resistance. Educate yourself and your loved ones about the situation and make sure to listen to your doctor’s advice when it comes to medications.
Speaking of your doctor’s advice, don’t insist on antibiotics. They will be prescribed if your condition requires it. If you feel like your symptoms aren’t improving, go back for a follow-up check-up. Don’t self-medicate and definitely don’t attempt to acquire antibiotics illegally.
