Antibiotics are medicines that fight infections in human beings and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it difficult for bacteria to multiply and grow. Antibiotic medicines have revolutionized drugs and influence our everyday life, as they are used in a wide range of places. They are used to promote growth in farms, to protect building materials from contamination, or to treat growth issues in orchards. Although they have a multitude of uses, overuse threatens their effective nature due to the existence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Dealing with resistance bacterium is not easy, but there are many ways to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Bacteria that resides in organisms may alter over time. They reproduce and unfold quickly and efficiently, and can adapt to their environment and change in ways that promote their survival. Once confronted with an antibiotic that hinders their ability to breed, genetic changes (mutations) will occur that allow the bug to thrive.
Tests can be performed to confirm that bacteria is resistant and cannot be killed by an antibiotic. However, diagnostic tests can take days or weeks to produce results as sometimes several of the tests need the bacteria to grow over a set period of time before it will be known.
A provider could use another antibiotic that may fight the infection. However, it can have an array of drawbacks. There could be multiple side effects such as feelings of drowsiness and nausea. Also, there is a risk of promoting a new resistance. In many cases, the supplier won’t have another choice of an antibiotic. So, to prevent a situation like this, there are several measures one can take to maintain good health. Preventing overuse is a major method and the following info will clearly establish why that’s the case.
Appropriate use of antibiotics is important to prevent drug-resistant microorganism infections and to stop any microorganism resistance from rising. One should solely take antibiotics as they are required and should not take more than prescribed in order to prevent antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance happens once the bacteria is able to resist the strength of an antibiotic. In other words, the bacteria will not be killed/ fail to be killed and still grow and multiply. Antibiotic overuse and overprescribing can be attributed to clinicians prescribing antibiotics before taking a look at lab results to make sure there is a microorganism infection present. Also, patient pressure to receive an antibiotic from their supplier is another significant issue. It has been said that patients who believe they need antibiotics and consume them by purchasing them online or in another country can easily develop antibiotic resistance. Self-diagnosing a sickness could be a major part of developing antibiotic resistance. It is never a good idea to use or share left over antibiotics. There are many ways to stop resistance and these methods are quite easy to follow and abide by.
Primarily, always follow the directions given by your doctor and do not stop taking them as prescribed even if you are feeling better. If you stop taking them accordingly, some bacteria could survive and re-infect you. Do not save your antibiotics for later or share them with others. Also, Never try and take antibiotics prescribed for somebody else. This might delay the most effective treatment for you, cause you to even sicker, or cause other uncomfortable side effects. Not all infections can be cured by antibiotics. Work together with your provider to make sure you’re obtaining the proper antibiotic, at the proper quantity, for the right amount of time. Do not demand antibiotics if your provider says they’re unnecessary. Overall, stop infections by frequently washing hands, making proper food with good hygiene in mind, avoiding shut contact with sick folks, and keeping track of yearly vaccinations.
While there are some new antibiotics in development, none of them are expected to be effective against the most dangerous types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics do not seem to be effective against contagious agent infections like respiratory infections or contagious diseases like the stomach flu. Abuse of antibiotics after they don’t seem to be required contributes to antibiotic resistance and unwanted facet effects. Many have been led to believe that antibiotics will be a fast fix to any illness, however that is certainly not the case.
In recent years, antibiotics have become less effective and therefore the increase in antibiotic resistance has skyrocketed. It is conjointly vital to notice that the number of staple antibiotics being discovered is decreasing. This poses a danger wherever antibiotics that have seemingly been exhausted by infections are currently troubled to combat waves of resistant bacteria. The message here is to take care of oneself and follow your providers instructions accordingly. Antibiotics should be taken fully and should be finished even if you feel better. Antibiotics must not be taken if you’re simply feeling under the weather and need to accelerate the recovery. If you remain responsible and aware, you will not fall victim to the effects of antibiotic resistance.
Works Cited
“Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 July 2020, http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/index.html.
“Stock Photo.” 123RF Stock Photos, http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/antibiotic_resistance.html?sti=lbrssfuguoj2duaqkh%7C.
Youth Medical Journal 