Antibiotic resistance has been a topic of discussion for years. It, like other long-lived public conditions, has grown worse with the passage of time. In fact, in 2015 the World Health Assembly endorsed “a global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance,” the intent of which is “to ensure prevention and treatment of infectious diseases with safe and effective medicines.”
In case you’re wondering why we are talking about this subject, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is Nov. 18 to 24. The theme is Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance. Antibiotic resistance is speeding up by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, poor infection prevention and control, says the World Health Organization (WHO.)
One of the bullet points about antibiotics is that they are used to prevent and treat bacterial infections, not viral infections. They should be prescribed only by a certified health professional when needed, not because a patient insists on the prescription.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that antibiotics don’t work for colds and runny noses, most sore throats, flu and chest colds (aka bronchitis.)
- Take as directed.
- Do not share your prescribed antibiotics (or other prescription medications) with others.
- Do not save your antibiotics for later.
- Do not take antibiotics prescribed for others.
A very real concern is that a time will come when these miracle drugs will no longer work and the infections so easily treated with them, common ailments like strep throat, whooping cough, and urinary tract infections and minor injuries, will become much more serious, perhaps fatal. When these miracle drugs no longer work, more expensive medicines have to be used. Organ transplants, chemotherapy and surgeries like c-sections, says WHO, will be more dangerous. Illnesses may last longer and hospital stays will be longer.
In 2016, heads of state met at the United Nations General Assembly in New York where a global commitment was made to address the root causes of antimicrobial resistance, especially in human health, animal health, and agriculture.
“Antimicrobials are critical tools in helping to fight disease in humans, animals and plants. They include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiprotozoal,’ the WHO says.
Infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, salmonellosis, blood poisoning and foodborne diseases are becoming more difficult to treat, sometimes not effective at all because the antibiotics are no longer effective, because the bacteria have grown resistant.
Educating yourself about how viruses work makes you wise to getting the proper care for recovery, your health and well-being. Asking questions of those who work for you, your health care providers, who can advise you of the best recommendations for your individual situation, is vital to your understanding. Which vaccines should you have? What are the consequences of getting them, and of not getting them? Do you understand how they work? Is there an alternative treatment that would be just as effective? Why or why not? Ask the questions you need the answers for so you can make sound decisions about treatments that are in your best interests.
Family Recovery Center provides information that can be helpful for you to know, but the best person you can go to for health advice and care is your primary care provider who knows you, knows your health issues, and has the soundest advice for you. He or she will give you their best wisdom. Ultimately, you make the decisions that you feel are best for you.
One of the things to think about is what we want for the future. Then we need to consider what we need to do for that future. In this case, what can we do to assure prevention and treatment of viruses?
Addiction has no address, but Family Recovery Center does. For more information about the education, prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse and related behavioral issues, contact the agency at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or email, info@familyrecovery.org. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. FRC is funded in part by United Way of Northern Columbiana County.