Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health
Friday, 19 January 2018 (12:09 IST)
Kolkata: Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development today. Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process. Antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality.
For World Antibiotic Awareness week, November 13–19 , The World Helth Organisation (WHO) and partners will reach out to health professionals, governments, farmers, veterinarians, the food and feed industry, and the public via social media.
This year World Antibiotic Awareness Week will observe with the theme: Seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before taking antibiotics. This is not only ensures our family get the best treatment, responsible use of antibiotics will also help reduce the threat of antibiotic resistance
Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines.
Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant. These bacteria may infect humans and animals, and the infections they cause are harder to treat than those caused by non-resistant bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality.
The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics. Even if new medicines are developed, without behaviour change, antibiotic resistance will remain a major threat. Behaviour changes must also include actions to reduce the spread of infections through vaccination, hand washing, practising safer sex, and good food hygiene.
Antibiotic resistance is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world. New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases. (UNI)
