By Dr. Ibrar Bashir Sherazi, MBBS, MD
Srinagar February 18 (KNS): As a public health specialist, I feel compelled to sound the alarm on the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance, driven by the unchecked consumption of antibiotics in medical and agricultural settings.
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but their effectiveness is being eroded due to antibiotic resistance. This is primarily fueled by four Key Factors Contributing to Antibiotic Resistance:
1. *Unnecessary Prescriptions*: Health professionals prescribing antibiotics for viral infections.
2. *Incomplete Courses of Treatment*: Patients stopping antibiotic treatment too soon, allowing bacteria to develop resistance.
3. *Overuse in Agriculture*: Farmers using antibiotics in livestock feed, contributing to the spread of resistant bacteria thus making the infection harder to treat.
4. *Over-the-Counter Availability*: Antibiotics being sold without prescriptions, leading to self-medication and improper use.
*Looming Bacterial Epidemic*
If current trends continue, we could face an era where simple infections become life-threatening. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified antibiotic resistance as a top global health threat. Experts warn that we could enter a “post-antibiotic era” within the next few decades.In this scenario, drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), CRE (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae), and XDR-TB (Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis) could spread uncontrollably, causing large-scale outbreaks.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHospitals would struggle with rising mortality rates, and public health systems could be overwhelmed.
To prevent this impending disaster, we must take immediate and Five Strategies to Combat Antibiotic Resistance;
1. *Stronger Regulations on Antibiotic Use*: Governments enforcing stricter rules to curb unnecessary prescriptions and over-the-counter sales.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns*: Educating people on the dangers of antibiotic misuse and the importance of completing prescribed treatments.
3. Investment in New Antibiotics and Alternatives: Pharmaceutical companies prioritizing the development of new antibiotics and alternative treatments.
4. Enhanced Infection Prevention Measures: Hospitals and communities adopting better hygiene practices to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
5. Responsible Agricultural Practices: Regulating the use of antibiotics in livestock to reduce the spread of resistant bacteria through food and water sources.
Pertinent to mention the threat of a bacterial epidemic caused by antibiotic resistance is real and imminent. If we continue our reckless use of antibiotics, we will soon face a crisis where even minor infections become deadly. It is our collective responsibility to take action before it is too late.(KNS)