ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

“Antibiotics” This is a term that is mostly heard in medical laboratories, chemists, clinics and pharmaceutical industries.

Antibacterials (antibiotics) are types of antimicrobial drugs used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. The drugs may either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Antimicrobials should only be used to treat bacterial infections only. I can imagine the facial expressions that you have when reading this article; Surprised!!! Most people, including the people who are closest to me run to chemists when they suffer from sore throats and colds to buy “medicines”. In accordance with the survey I conducted after I completed a unit referred to as Bacterial Physiology during my freshman years; I discovered that the people who rush to chemists to buy drugs want to shun away from going to hospitals because they think going to hospitals is time consuming and expensive.

The wisest monks of Himalayas advocate that, “cheap can be expensive”. Truly, as a Medical Microbiologist I would agree with The Monks. Taking of antibiotics that have not been prescribed by a doctor after a proper diagnosis by Biomedical Scientists in charge; may do more harm than good on one’s health. The harm caused by abusing antibiotics is referred to as antibiotic resistance; I know probably some people may not have been aware about antimicrobial resistance; simply because it has been overlooked by medical professionals who just want to sell non- prescribed drugs over – the - counter so that they can make a high amount of money, through incredible profits.

The following are the ways in which most people misuse antibiotics either intentionally or unintentionally: Taking antibiotics when not required, overusing of antibiotics and not finishing the prescribed dosage. Bacteria that lead to various infections have the ability to adapt to new environments. Therefore, misuse of antibiotics will lead to the resistance of the ineffective bacterial strains, by reproducing a new strain (group) of bacteria (that is offsprings) that are resistant to the misused antibiotics.

There are four types of Antimicrobial resistance:

1. Drug resistance

2. Multi-drug resistance

3. Extensive drug resistance

4. Pan-drug resistance

Guys hope today you learnt something about antibiotics; Take care of Yourselves out there

Your Health is my priority