Antibiotic Resistance Puts Your Life and Others at Risk

We all know that an antibiotic are used and is effective against bacterial infections, certain fungal infections and some kinds of parasites. But are you also aware that there is a global problem on antibiotic resistance? This is because of the irresponsible use of antibiotics – using it too often and using it without following the right prescription.

Antibiotics do not work for illnesses like colds and flu which are caused by viruses. Most of sore throats and acute respiratory infections, coughs, most ear infections, and stomach flu are also caused by viruses. Thus, taking antibiotics to cure these illnesses will not work at all.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic is no longer effective at killing or limiting the growth of bacteria. It can be acquired through previous exposure to an antibiotic or through contact with another organism that is resistant (transfer resistance), or it can occur naturally (innate ability or genetic mutation). But once bacteria are resistant, the infections they cause may not be cured or controlled by antibiotic treatment, or there may be few effective drugs to be chosen. And in worst case scenarios, these illnesses can lead to disability or even death.

It is said that antibiotics used in clinics and hospitals are either unneeded or the patients are getting the wrong kind of drugs that is necessary to treat their infections.

What contributes to antibiotic resistance?

There are many factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance. Here are some of them that you should know to avoid making any of it.

Overuse of antibiotics – Just like using any other drugs, overuse of antibiotics will lead to antibiotic resistance. In future use, antibiotics will no longer be able to control or destroy the bacteria in your body because it is resistant already.

Antibiotic use is stopped early – often, patients do not follow what is prescribed to them by their doctors. This may cause to leaving behind some strains of the bacteria thus the illness will recur. The next medication may not be able to stop the bacteria anymore.

The dose or schedule instructions for the antibiotic are not followed – Some people take more than the dosage of antibiotic prescribed to them thinking this will make their recovery quick. There are also some who doubles it especially when they forget what time they should have intake their antibiotic. These practices lead only to antibiotic resistance because the effectiveness of the drugs doesn’t have the right impact anymore to the bacteria.

Taking antibiotics without proper consultation – As we’ve said, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infection. So if antibiotics are taken to recover from flu, colds or coughs, it will not work because these are caused by viruses and not by bacteria. A person should always consult their doctors first before taking any medicine. It is better to have the proper healthcare worker prescribed the right medication than to take chances and make the illness much worse than before.

Reusing unfinished antibiotic for later use – Do not take left-over antibiotics to cure the same illness later. This is because you are not sure if you still have the same strain of bacteria when your doctor prescribed you that antibiotic. It is possible that this time, you have a different type of bacteria and that left-over antibiotics will not help you.

It is still possible to slow or reverse resistance by being more responsible about the way we use antibiotics. This will help ensure that the antibiotics we now have can continue to be effective while medical researchers work to develop new types of antibiotics or other treatments for serious bacterial infections. Just remember to consult first your doctor before taking any medicine to cure whatever it is you are feeling.