World Antibiotic Awareness Weak: Use Antibiotics Wisely

World Antibiotic Awareness Week is celebrated worldwide in November every year. Entities like health facilities, schools, and communities participate in the awareness campaign. This campaign has the best practices among the general public, health workers, and policymakers to limit the further spread of antibiotic resistance. It is an opportunity to promote global education on antibiotics, uses, and the increasing risks of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are medicines used to restrict bacterial infections by killing infectious bacteria. When an antibiotic shows no effects on a certain strain of bacteria, those bacteria are said to be antibiotic-resistant. It is one of the world's most alarming health problems.

  

Inappropriate Use Of Antibiotics (Overuse, Misuse, or Underuse)

When prescribed antibiotics are used inappropriately, like used for a longer time than prescribed, or misused, or not completed the prescription course, then it results in resistance.  Antibiotics are life-saving drugs that treat infections caused by bacteria. These medicines are to be used only when they are needed.

Animal Husbandry Is The Source Of Resistance To Antibiotics

When Antibiotics are used in animals for any reason it leads to lowering the effectiveness of the drug in animals as well as in humans. It is not suitable to use for bacterial infections in animals. People are unaware about antibiotic resistance. It is important to educate and aware farmers and veterinarians about antibiotic resistance to reduce the use of these drugs in animals. 

Lack Of Quality Medicines

In the low-quality medicines, the concentration of antibiotic is lower than desired to kill the infectious bacteria. This leads to development of resistance. It is important to note that poor quality medicines are seriously damaging public health in different ways beyond Antibiotics resistance. These low-quality or mislabeled medicines contain wrong ingredient that can be toxic. It can be life-threatening. Due to this people are losing confidence in the healthcare system.

Poor Infection Prevention And Control

The main principle of infection prevention and control is hygiene. It aims to protect those people who might be vulnerable to acquire an infection. Measures to prevent infection such as sanitation, hand washing, food, water safety, and vaccination can reduce the spread of microorganisms resistant to Antibiotics medicines. Sustainable animal husbandry practices can reduce the risk of resistant bacteria spreading through the food chain to humans.

Contribute to lower the Antibiotics Resistance by using them effectively!