Are we entering the era of Anti-microbial resistance?

General
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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when germs like bacteria, virus or fungus that cause infections resists the effects of the medication which is used to treat them. These resistant bacteria can spread and may infect people or animals because they form a protective covering which is harder to treat than non- resistant ones. This may eventually lead to treatment failure or they are unable to treat the source of infection.

Microbes develop Antimicrobial resistance through four mechanisms.

  1. Drug inactivation or modification
  2. Target site modification
  3. Decreased drug uptake
  4. Active drug efflux

AMR is generally a broader term. Since 1940s, antibiotics have saved millions of lives and has had helped in various lifesaving procedures like,

  • Organ transplant
  • Chemotherapy
  • C- section
  • Various surgeries

Why does AMR happen?

AMR is a natural process that happens over time through genetic changes in pathogens. It is mainly accelerated by human activity which is mainly due to taking these drugs without prescription or misuse and overuse of Antimicrobial to treat infection.

It is affecting all countries in all regions and at all income levels.

WHO identifies India and Vietnam as the most affected countries by the AMR. India is often called the ‘AMR capital of the world’.

People in these countries often take antibacterial medicines on their own and they use it with every infection whether it is antiviral infections, antifungal infections.

because of that people are developing resistance to it. Now the resistant bacteria survive the present medicines which leads to slow cure of the disease, mortality, persistence of disease and costly alternative antibiotics. People who have weakened immune systems, long term antibiotic users, children, older people.

To prevent it, overprescribing of antibiotics should be stopped, it should not be taken when there are antiviral or antifungal infections, it should be taken only when healthcare professionals prescribe them, and practice good hygiene.

What measures can be taken to prevent AMR?

MBH/DB

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An important topic. AMR is often called a “silent pandemic” because it develops gradually but can have serious consequences for global health. Along with responsible antibiotic use, public awareness, vaccination, infection prevention, and stronger antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential to slow the emergence of resistant microbes and preserve the effectiveness of existing treatments.

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Yes, public awareness is the main key to prevent AMR

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Great breakdown of a scary reality! A massive part of the solution has to be basic patient counselling in the OPD. So many patient except an antibiotic for a simple viral cold or flu and feel unsatisfied if they leave without a prescription. Taking an extra minute to explain why an antibiotic won’t work on a virus is a small clinical habit that can save lives in the long run.

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AMR can be reduced through responsible antibiotic use, avoiding self-medication, completing prescribed courses, improving infection prevention practices, and strengthening public awareness. Combating AMR requires both healthcare system efforts and individual responsibility.

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Exactly

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Yes, explaining patients about viral, fungal and bacterial infections would really help them in understanding

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Antimicrobial stewardship should be brought in effect. In India, many antibiotics are sold as OTC which is a malpractice I suppose. Prescription only antibiotics should be brought into picture to stop public from self medicating antibiotics and developing resistance.

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AMR is real. So the medicines should be prescribed and used with caution.

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Yes this too can help

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To prevent AMR public awareness is very important.

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Yes, public education can help !

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Antibiotics should not be started for minor infections without proper physician advice. If prescribed, the course should be completed even when being ‘apparently well’

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India is going to new capital of antimicrobial resistance, here people take medicine own their own. they take antibiotic for antiviral and antifungal infection or don’t take full course of doctor prescribed antibiotic course. Because of this behavior patient develop AMR situation and undergo serious hospitalization.

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Yes!
Public awarness regarding anti-microbial resistance is very necessary as it is causing over dosing which can lead to severe side effects in some cases as well.

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Yeah. AMR is real and it’s is becoming more worse. Awareness should be spread more.

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There is constant race between science and microbes, who have survived billions of years. Continuously new antibiotics are being developed while old ones become resistant.

Large level awareness needs to be created to stop erratic antibiotics usage.

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The more awareness is spread, more precautions will be taken

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There will come a time, when new range of antibiotics will also not work

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AMR awareness is very urgent. Day by day, the risk is increasing.