Be Antibiotics Aware - World Antibiotics Awareness Week

Resistance to Antibiotics has currently become one of the biggest public health challenges says World Health Organization. What was once a miracle discovery that saved millions of lives is now becoming problematic, simply by the misuse of antibiotics.

The World Antibiotics Awareness Week (Nov 12- Nov 18) is observed to bring awareness about the misuse of antibiotics among patients, healthcare service providers, healthcare centers and common people.

The Impact of Misuse of Antibiotics

Worldwide, an estimated annual number of deaths reported due to antibiotic resistant bacteria are 700,000. Experts say that the problem of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) or the resistance of infection-causing microorganisms to drugs (originally effective for their treatment) is rising at an alarming pace.

They believe that it won’t be long before the simplest of infections can become a nightmare to treat. Infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and food-borne diseases have become difficult to treat because of antibiotic resistance while procedures such as organ transplantation and chemotherapy rendered risky.

India is especially at danger of an explosion of AMR. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change its response to use of these medicines making them antibiotic-resistant. Antibiotic resistance is not only linked to prolonged stays in hospitals and higher mortality, but also linked to higher medical costs.

What causes Antibiotic Resistance?

Studies indicate that 30-50% of antibiotics prescribed are unnecessary or inappropriate. Overprescribing and inappropriate prescribing is contributing to the growing challenges posed by Clostridium difficile (a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis) antibiotic-resistant bacterium. 

How to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance?

Infection occurs when germs enter our body, increase in number, and cause a reaction. While infection cannot be completely avoided, those who are infected and antibiotic-resistant are at a greater risk than others. Therefore, it is wise to try and avoid getting an infection in the first place to help protect you and your family from harmful germs.

An effective way of preventing antibiotic resistance is by using antibiotics only when they are prescribed by doctors. Take antibiotics only if prescribed and follow the pattern of antibiotic consumption as suggested by your doctor. Qural provides you with convenient medication reminders feature so that you can avoid missing your dose and start becoming resistant.

Further, practicing habits like washing hands regularly, practicing safe sex, avoiding close contact with un-well people and taking timely vaccinations can go a long way in preventing antibiotic resistance.

Use Over-the-Counter Medicines Judiciously

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, decongestants and saline nasal sprays may help relieve some symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, fever, and aches for children and adults. They can only reduce the symptoms but not shorten the length of sickness time. Always be cautious about using OTC products as directed, as not all products are recommended for children of certain ages.

Patient Safety: How can you Stay Safe?

The time spent in the hospital for a hospitalized patient can put him/her at risk for a healthcare-associated infection (HAI), such as a blood, surgical site, or a urinary tract infection.

Patients are often prone to infections in healthcare facilities while being treated for something else. Healthcare procedures can leave you vulnerable to germs that cause HAIs. These preventable infections can have devastating emotional, financial, and medical effects.

As an inpatient it is important to be aware of the possibility of receiving such infections through contact or unhygienic hospital settings. Germs can spread from patient to patient through unclean hands of healthcare personnel or through the improper use or reuse of equipment. Awareness about such possible avoidable infections can help you prevent them.

While Centers of Disease Control’s campaign is focused on improving prescribing practices in inpatient healthcare facilities as part of the World Antibiotics Awareness Week, Qural encourages you to be Antibiotics Aware, Stay Safe and Prevent Infections.