Anti Microbial Resistance

WHAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE?

 

Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of bacteria to protect itself against the effects of an antibiotic medication. It can happen when the bacteria decreases or destroys the effectiveness of antibiotics which can cure and prevent infections. As a result, the bacteria survive and multiply, causing more harm.

HOW DOES ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE HAPPEN?

Antibiotics kill or hinder the growth of susceptible bacteria. When exposed to antibiotics, sometimes one of the bacteria can survive because it has found a way to counteract or evade the antibiotic attack. Even if one bacterium becomes resistant, it can multiply and replace all the bacteria that were killed. This is called ‘selective pressure’ and it makes the surviving bacteria more likely to be resistant. 

There are several ways in which antibiotic resistance can happen. Random ‘mutations’ or changes can occur in the genetic material of the bacteria every time they reproduce and multiply. These changes may enable the bacteria to survive, protecting them from different types of antibiotics.These genetic changes can also be passed on to other bacteria.

Bacteria may develop the ability to counteract or ‘neutralise’ the antibiotic making it harmless. Some bacteria can even rapidly pump out the antibiotic before it can work. There is also a possibility of the bacteria changing their external structure so that there is no way for antibiotic to attach or penetrate inside bacteria.

WHY ARE BACTERIA BECOMING RESISTANT TO ANTIBIOTICS?

Antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon caused by changes in the bacteria’s genes. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can promote the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Sensitive bacteria are killed by antibiotic medications, but resistant bacteria can flourish and spread making antibiotics less effective. Using antibiotics when they are not needed or using them incorrectly can enable development of antibiotic resistance.

WHEN DO YOU USE ANTIBIOTICS INCORRECTLY?

If you do any of the following without medical advice, you won’t have enough antibiotic in your body and the bacteria may become resistant: 

• shorten the treatment duration
• lower the prescribed dose
• fail to comply with the right frequency

When you use antibiotics for the wrong reasons such as taking them for most colds and flu which are caused by viruses, they will NOT be effective.

WHEN DO ANTIBIOTICS WORK?

Antibiotics kill or reduce the growth of bacteria by attaching to specific targets on, or within the bacteria. Viruses are constructed differently from bacteria – a virus must get inside a living cell to grow and replicate.

• Antibiotics do not work against viruses because they have no target to attack in a virus.
• Taking antibiotics for a viral infection doesn’t kill the virus, but contributes to antibiotic resistance  

BACTERIAL VS VIRAL INFECTIONS 

  

IMPACT OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist and survive the effects of an antibiotic medication.  Antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s most pressing public health problems.  It is estimated to cause 700,000 deaths a year worldwide . Without effective intervention, by 2050 antibiotic resistance may cause 10 million deaths a year worldwide. 

• Antibiotic resistance may cause infections that were once easily treatable to become dangerous.
• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread to family members, schoolmates and co-workers, and may threaten your community.
• Antibiotic resistance is limiting the choice of medications that can be used to effectively treat infections. Doctors may need to prescribe a second or third drug if the first antibiotic doesn’t work, and they may even run out of treatment options.
• Antibiotic resistance can cause delays in getting the right treatment to patients and may result in them getting sicker or even dying.                                                                                             

HOW ANTIBIOTICS WORK?

An antibiotic is a medication used specifically to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics work by attacking the structures and functions inside bacterial cells, but have no effect against viruses. They kill or slow the growth of bacteria by attaching to specific targets on, or within bacteria.

Therefore, antibiotics are used for infections that:

• are unlikely to be cured without antibiotics
• could infect others unless treated
• need treatment to be cured or can take too long to clear
• carry risks of serious complications

HELP PROTECT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTIBIOTICS:
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Antibiotics work by killing bacteria. If you don’t take your antibiotics properly, the bacteria may survive and become resistant to the medications.
If antibiotics no longer work, people may die and routine operations in hospitals will become increasingly dangerous or impossible.

HOW TO BEAT ANTI MICROBIAL RESISTANCE?

WHAT DO ANTIBIOTICS DO?

Antibiotics kill or slow the growth of bacteria by attaching to specific targets on, or within bacteria. However, antibiotics can lose their effectiveness if they’re not used correctly. This loss of effectiveness is called ‘antibiotic resistance’ and it is a growing problem around the world. 

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN TAKING ANTIBIOTICS?

Antibiotics do not work against viruses because they have no target to attack in a virus, since viruses are constructed differently from bacteria. Therefore, taking antibiotics for a viral infection doesn’t kill the virus, but contributes to antibiotic resistance.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO ENSURE YOU ARE TAKING ANTIBIOTICS CORRECTLY? 

• NEVER skip doses (e.g., taking the drug once a day when the doctor has prescribed 2 or 3 times a day).
• NEVER take antibiotics when they are not needed (e.g., to treat coughs or colds caused by a virus).
• NEVER take antibiotics that were prescribed for someone else, or that were left over from a previous prescription.
• ALWAYS take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not buy or use antibiotics without first seeing your doctor and getting a proper prescription.
• ALWAYS finish the full course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.
• ALWAYS ask your doctor if you have any questions or if you experience side effects that make you want to stop taking them.

WHAT WE CAN DO?

Protect yourself, your family and your friends by using antibiotics properly. Don’t ask for antibiotics to treat your cold and flu symptoms. If your doctor does give you antibiotics for a bacterial infection remember the 3 ‘R’s:

PRESCRIPTION 

ALWAYS

take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not buy or use antibiotics without first seeing your doctor and getting a proper prescription or share antibiotics with friends and family.

FINISH

the full course of treatment, even if you start to feel better.

ALWAYS ASK

your doctor if there’s anything you’re unsure about or contact them if you experience side effects that make you want to stop taking them.

ASK

your doctor about vaccines recommended for you and your family to prevent infections that may require an antibiotic treatment.

WASH

your hands and follow other hygiene measures like avoiding contact with sick patients.

MYTHS OR TRUTHS ON ANTIBIOTIC USE

CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

Antibiotics work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that cause infections. They are used to treat and cure infections that can take too long to clear, carry risk of serious complications and are contagious.

KNOW YOUR ANTIBIOTICS

Here are some common myths and truths regarding the use of antibiotics. 

1: INFECTIONS

• MYTH: Antibiotics can be used for viral infections such as the common cold and flu, as well as bacterial infections
• Truth: Antibiotics do not work against viruses because viruses are constructed differently from bacteria

2: INCORRECT USE

• MYTH: Using antibiotics incorrectly will not cause any major harm
• Truth: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which can affect the entire community

3: AMR IS DISAPPEARING

• MYTH: With advancements in healthcare, the problem of antibiotic resistance is slowly disappearing
• Truth: The problem of antibiotic resistance is getting worse. There are now some bacteria that are resistant to several antibiotics at the same time. Such bacteria may eventually become resistant to all existing antibiotics

4: NEW DISCOVERIES

• MYTH: It is not difficult to discover new antibiotics to combat the problem of antibiotic resistance
• Truth: There are not many new antibiotics in pipeline. New antibiotics are becoming harder to find and the development of new antibiotics has been steadily dropping

5: DOSAGE

• MYTH: If I am taking a course of antibiotics and start to feel better, I can stop taking the antibiotics even if I am not finished with the course
• Truth: It is important to take all of the medication, even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, the drug may not kill all the bacteria. You may become sick again, and the remaining bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotic that you've taken