Dr Rekha Harish
Antibiotic Resistance is the most alarming current global threat to man’s existance .It’s increasingly making treatment of Infectious Diseases difficult and costly with unfavorable outcome at times.
It is natural for the bacteria to develop resistance when exposed to antibiotic in order to survive in the battle between drugs and bugs. However irrational use of antibiotics only accelerates the development of resistance and worsens the situation.
Overuse, incorrect use, misuse or abuse of antibiotics occur due to various reasons. Most of the patients with fever and cold, cough and/ or loose motions are viral infections and do not need antibiotic treatment but are prescribed or taking antibiotics on own because they are easily available over the counter without a doctor’s valid prescription in our country.
Public need to be made aware that self medication with antibiotic is dangerous. They should understand that all fevers do not need antibiotics giving antibiotics in viral infections will help growth of “super bugs which will be resistant to drugs.
They should not pressurise doctors for an antibiotic thinking that they will get well faster. They should rather ask doctors why antibiotic has been written and if it is really needed.
If still prescribed they should complete the entire course in correct doses, and adequate duration. Very often the course is not completed as the patient starts feeling better. Bacteria suppressed partially, when incompletely treated, learn to overcome the killing effect of antibiotic and start multiplying making the antibiotic ineffective and then higher antibiotic is required to treat such bacteria( SUPERBUGS)
Chemists should also refrain from selling antibiotic without a valid prescription.
There are several irrational multiple antibiotic combinations or formulations available in our country.There is need to withdraw them from the market by the regulatory bodies.
Further, Antibiotics are used in agriculture to improve the yield of crops and also animals are fed antibiotics to promote growth in animals. This leads to exposure of bacteria to antibiotics in our environment around, giving them ample time and opportunity to develop resistance to antibiotics.
Over the period of years, number of new antibiotics discovered has come to almost zero and bacteria have learnt to overcome almost all the antibiotics known to mankind. If we don’t conserve the antibiotics, a day will come when simple infections will become fatal.
Indian Academy of Pediatrics has started the mission AVOID ANTIBIOTIC ABUSE to create and foster awareness on antibiotic resistance and rational antibiotic use among doctors and public. The Indian Medical Association has joined the IAP and September 28 has been declared Rational Antibiotic Day and the week beginning Sep 28 to Oct 5 will be observed as Antibiotic Awareness Week. IAP with 23,000 members and over 325 branches in the country has plans to take out rallies, put up posters in the waiting area of clinics and hospitals and at the chemist shops on dangers of improper antibiotic use.
Department of Pediatrics GMC Jammu and all the members of Indian Academy of Pediatrics jammu join to spread the message of Avossid antibiotic abuse to save humanity!!
(The author is Prof & Head Dept of Pediatrics, GMC Jammu)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
