Educate. Advocate. Act now.
The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is observed from November 18 to 24. Antimicrobials are medications used to treat bacterial infections, killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth. Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms develop the ability to continue growing. Since their discovery a century ago, antimicrobial medicines have significantly extended average life expectancy. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs contributed to the development of drug-resistant microbes. Antimicrobial resistance is growing and is becoming a global threat to health and well-being. The WHO indicates it is among the top 10 global public health emergencies. Using natural antimicrobials is an option humans should explore. Substances like garlic, honey, and ginger have natural antibacterial properties. Awareness of natural antimicrobials is prevalent in India, especially in villages. Humans, in the guise of modernity, lost the traditional wisdom, and it is time to return to it.
Antimicrobial resistance is invisible. I am not.
The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is observed from November 18 to 24. It is a campaign to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistanceand reduce the spread of drug-resistant infections. The origin of the observation goes back to the discussions on the need for an action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antimicrobial medicines. World Health Assembly endorsed it in 2015. A theme is identified, and every day during the week of observation, discussions focus on the same.
The term “antibiotic” comes from the Greek words “anti,” meaning “against,” and “bios,” meaning “life”. It was “antibiosis,” meaning “against life,” which was later adapted to “antibiotic” to refer to these inhibitory substances specifically.
Antimicrobials are medications used to treat bacterial infections (e.g., urinary infections and certain types of pneumonia), and they kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms develop the ability to continue growing, even when exposed to antimicrobial medicines meant to kill /limit their growth. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs contributed to the development of drug-resistant microbes.
The situation is more critical than it appears.
Antimicrobial resistance is growing. It is becoming a global threat to health and well-being. The WHO indicates it is among the top 10 global public health emergencies. The statistics (2019) suggest that it led to the death of ~5 million people, and it could go up to 10 million by 2050. The number of people who died is 300,000 in India, including 50,000 new born.
Handle with Care: Antimicrobials
Antibiotics, Antivirals, Antifungals, Antiparasitics.
Since their discovery a century ago, antimicrobial medicines have significantly extended average life expectancy. Every day, these essential medicines save millions of lives. Antibiotics have made surgeries much safer by preventing post-operative infections, which were a significant cause of death in the past.
Antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic resistance are related but not the same. Antibiotic resistance refers explicitly to bacteria developing the ability to survive antibiotic exposure. Antimicrobial resistance is a broader term and includes resistance to all types of antimicrobial drugs, not just antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a subset of antimicrobial resistance.
Animals carry germs in their gut, including antimicrobial-resistant germs. These germs can spread between animals, in their environments, and then to people. Protecting the health of animals and the people who work with them is vital.
There are some options, such as using natural antimicrobials. Substances like garlic, honey, and ginger have natural antibacterial properties. Honey has wound healing and antimicrobial effects. Awareness of natural antimicrobials is prevalent in India, especially in villages. Humans, in the guise of modernity, lost the traditional wisdom, and it is time to return to it. The body’s immune system can fight mild bacterial infections, but one must learn to be patient and tolerant to recover. Non-antibiotic treatments (probiotics and phage therapy) can be effective for specific conditions.
Research led to the discovery of antimicrobials. It helped and saved many lives. Indulging in overuse of them made bacteria innovative and develop resistance to the antimicrobials. It is a lesson to humanity that development must be holistic and that the procedures adopted should be sustainable, especially regarding health care.
Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes all of us.
Toons: Shreya
Logs: M Sai Baba
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