Antimicrobial Resistance - a Global Health Concern

Antimicrobial Resistance is the resistance developed by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, virus and parasites against antimicrobial drugs like antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and anthelmintics respectively. We are quite aware of "Superbugs" which are the microorganisms that are antimicrobial resistance and needs immediate attention.

The most common antimicrobial resistance that we commonly encounter is antibiotic resistance. Many at times specific antibiotics are not working for treating specific infections. This is due to the antibiotic resistance. This is a global phenomenon. Under-dosing of antibiotics and non-judicious use of antibiotics lead to this type of antimicrobial resistance. The most common examples are colds and flu which are antiviral infections but most often antibiotics are prescribed which has no role for controlling primary viral infection rather to check secondary bacterial infection that may not be there.

Due to overuse or non-judicious use of antibiotics lead to antibiotic resistance developed by bacteria. When the same antibiotic is given for the same infection it won't work due resistance developed by the bacteria. These resistant bacteria are present everywhere (water, air, food, animals etc.) and multiplying comfortably with presence of drug. These bacteria are transmitted between individual to individual, animals to people. Poor food hygiene, inadequate sanitary conditions facilitates the spreading of the resistance bacteria in the population. As discovery of new antibiotics are declining, so we are facing the challenge with great concern. As we know the antibiotics are the main actor of allopathic medicines for treating low level infections to high end surgeries. So there is a need of awareness regarding judicious use of antibiotics by physicians and veterinary practitioners as well as public to combat war against antimicrobial resistance, which is a global health concern.