ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

 

A common scenario in the healthcare sector is the use of antibiotics in any treatment regimen, which has led to the occurrence of this public health problem, antibiotic resistance, that is ravaging the healthcare sector.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is a type of antimicrobial resistance that occurs when bacteria change and can fight off the antibiotics that initially kill them.

Your body doesn’t develop antibiotic resistance, bacteria do. When this happens, bacterial infections then become extremely difficult to treat as a result of this.

Also note that fungi, parasites and viruses can also develop drug resistance.

Why is this a problem?

When Antibiotic resistance occurs, you do not know it has happened until when it is time to treat your child.

The antibiotic that had previously been successful in treating your child suddenly does not work again or it becomes less effective.

It takes time to realize what is happening, but in the meantime, your child gets sickly and an infection that previously you could treat at home then requires a hospital admission and in severe cases, they may die as there are no antibiotics that are effective against the infection.

What causes Antibiotic resistance?

Many of these factors can contribute to the occurrence of antibiotic resistance and it is not limited to just anyone:

1. Abuse of antibiotics: In so many cases, we often give our children antibiotics when they are not needed or helpful; this contributes greatly to it.

For example, most cases of pharyngitis or sore throat are viral and do not need antibiotics at all but most times, we are so quick to give our children an antibiotic.

 

2. Misuse of antibiotics: Bacteria always take advantage of any opportunity to multiply so when you forget to give your child that drug for the day or several days, or when you stop giving your child the drug at all because you feel he is getting better, or you decide to give baby Anna, her brother’s drug because you think it is the same sickness that they have, the bacteria start reproducing and multiplying.

As they multiply, they begin mutate or change and these mutated bacteria become increasingly more resistant to the drug and the illness difficult to treat.

3. Agricultural use: Bacteria in animals can also become resistant to antibiotics when not treated properly and accordingly.

4. Spontaneous resistance: At times, the genetic makeup (DNA) of a bacterium changes on its own. The antibiotic then used doesn’t recognize this newly changed bacterium and can’t target it the way it should or the change itself helps the bacteria to fight off the drug’s effect.

5. Transmitted resistance: A person with a contagious drug-resistant bacterial infection can transfer it to your child and he/she now has an infection that won’t respond to an antibiotic.

What are its complications?

Your healthcare provider usually has limited treatment options when bacterial infections become drug resistant and this can lead to serious problems such as:

• Increased risk of severe, prolonged illness and death
• Severe drug side effects
• Prolonged hospital stays
• Increased medical appointments
• High medical costs

How can you prevent antibiotic resistance?

These following steps can be of help to you in lowering your child’s risk of developing antibiotic resistance and this extends to you also as a parent:

• Give your child antibiotics, only when it is prescribed. Do not self-medicate or give someone else’s drug to them.
• Follow your healthcare provider’s advice to treat your child without antibiotics. Don’t pressure us for an unnecessary prescription.
• Set a reminder on your phone so that your child doesn’t miss a dose. Ask your pharmacist what to do when you miss a dose.
• Give your child all of the drugs as prescribed and for the duration as prescribed, even if they feel better. If you stop an antibiotic too soon, the bacteria can start to grow again and they may develop resistance.
• Teach them to wash their hands regularly. Let it become a habit. Good hygiene lowers the risk of getting a bacterial infection.

A note from Dr. Favvy

Bacteria that develop antibiotic resistance do not respond to standard treatments. The resultant effect would be a bacterial infection that is difficult to treat.

Antibiotic resistance has become a worldwide health menace. To help prevent this, healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics only when needed.

Abuse and misuse of antibiotics are top contributors to antibiotic resistance.

Always ensure to follow your pharmacist’s instructions when giving your child any antibiotics.

Give your child antibiotics only when prescribed and exactly as prescribed.

Lets put a stop to antibiotic resistance for the safety of our children and the world at large!!!