The therapeutic efficiency of the existing medicines and their recommended regimens are now seriously threatened by the global emergence of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is a complicated worldwide public health issue, and there is no one, straightforward approach that will completely stop the establishment and spread of infectious organisms that develop antibiotic resistance. But the following actions can restrict the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
1. Sanitation and Hygiene
Inadequate sanitation, poor infection prevention, and control might increase the likelihood that resistant organisms will spread, infect more people, and lead to a greater need for antibiotics. Therefore, the spread of resistant microorganisms can be prevented by taking infection control measures including improved hygiene and sanitation, including hand washing, safe food and water, and avoiding close contact with sick people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Five Keys to Safer Food (keep clean, separate raw from cooked, cook thoroughly, maintain food at safe temperatures, use safe water and raw materials) should be followed when preparing the food. It is also important to choose and consume foods that have not been produced using antibiotics for growth promotion or disease prevention in healthy animals.
2. Sustainable Animal husbandry Practices
Sustainable antimicrobial usage extends beyond human health to animal production. In farms and slaughterhouses, antibiotics are commonly used to promote growth and prevent illnesses. Sustainable animal husbandry techniques can lower the danger of resistant bacteria spreading into humans via the food chain.
3. Use of Antimicrobials Judiciously
Only use antibiotics when directed to do so by a licensed healthcare provider. Current recommendations advise doctors to only prescribe and administer antibiotics when absolutely necessary. Animals should only be given antibiotics under a veterinarian’s supervision. Antibiotics shouldn’t be used on healthy animals to promote growth or to stave off illness.
4. Epidemiological Surveillance and Research
There is need to improve the surveillance of antibiotic-resistant infections. Therefore, epidemiological research and surveillance can assist to improve our understanding of how antibiotic resistance organisms develop and spread. Infections with antibiotic resistance must be reported to surveillance teams.
5. Vaccination
Antimicrobial misuse and overuse can be reduced and the spread of resistant microorganisms can be restricted through infection prevention strategies like vaccination. Animal vaccinations can lessen the need for antibiotics, and efforts should be made to adopt antibiotic alternatives where they are available.
6. Health Education
Improving the general public’s understanding of antibiotic resistance by good education, communication, and training can assist to lower the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. Patients should be informed by healthcare providers about the proper use of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and the risks associated with antibiotic abuse.
7. National Action Plan
By ensuring that a strong national action plan to combat antibiotic resistance is in place, policymakers may play a crucial role in the prevention and control of the spread of antibiotic resistance. In an effort to stop and stop the spread of antibiotic resistance, policymakers should also regulate and promote the proper use and disposal of high-quality medications.
8. International Organizations’ and Agencies’ Cooperation
The World Health Assembly supported the WHO global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, which aims to ensure the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases with secure and efficient medications.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week (held in November since 2015), the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), and the Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (IACG) are just a few of the initiatives that WHO has been leading to address antimicrobial resistance.
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Guidelines to follow for Antibiotic Prescription
It is of the utmost importance to utilize antibiotics properly, to use the right medication at the right dose, at the right time, and for the right duration as per the disease condition following diagnosis, in order to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Only use the medication when absolutely required, and weigh the risks and advantages for the patient.
The dosage should be precisely calculated and administered in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Applying clinical trial results, the manufacturer-recommended dosages are established under the assumption that one dose fits all.
The need to reassess the patient to determine the effectiveness, side effects and the need to continue is important when additional medications are introduced.
Precautions during Antibiotics Utilization
Antibiotics are life-saving drugs; they must be handled wisely and efficiently. Any recommended antibiotic should be finished for the entire term to ensure maximum effectiveness and prevent the development of resistance. Health care practitioners are expected to adopt the appropriate safety measures to reduce the over- and unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics.
Many antibiotics, including ampicillin, cephalosporin, amoxicillin, etc., have mild side effects including diarrhea and abdominal pain, thus they should be recommended together with a suitable stomach care supplement or probiotics.
It is advised to continue the authorized course of treatment because side effects from medication can appear and then gradually go away after a few days. Use adequate infection control measures and make an effort to maintain excellent hygiene.
Patients who are thought to be infected or colonized with highly contagious diseases should take extra measures. Combination therapy would help prevent the development of drug-resistant bacterial strains.
Takeaway
Human actions directly contribute to rising rates of antibiotic resistance. Even though the situation is serious, our time with antibiotics is running out. All facets and levels of society must take immediate action to safeguard us from the impending danger posed by rising antibiotic resistance rates.
References:
Ahmed, S. A. A., Baris, E. & Go, D. S. (2017). Assessing the global economic and poverty effects of antimicrobial resistance.
Shen J, Swift B, Mamelok R, Pine S, Sinclair J, Attar M. (2019). Design and Conduct Considerations for First-in-Human Trials. Clin Transl Sci ; 12(1): 6-19.
Visone DNP, (2012). The Use of Probiotics to Prevent Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea: Current Primary Care Practice and Introduction of an Evidence Based Practice Protocol.