Have you used antibiotics or some other medications and the ailment for which you administered the drugs on yourself hasn’t resolved? You might just be experiencing antimicrobial Resistance.
What is Antimicrobial resistance? First let’s define ANTIMICROBIALS. Antimicrobials (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics) are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.
They are also classified according to their functions, namely antibiotics against bacteria; antivirals for viruses, antifungi against fungus and antiparasitics used against parasites.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) thus occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder, almost impossible to treat, medicines becoming ineffective and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
The misuse and/or overuse of these medicines, especially antibiotics are the main factors in the development of this resistance. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) USA,
microbes, which are living organisms that evolve overtime, adapt to their environments and change in ways that ensure their survival. If something stops their ability to grow, such as an antimicrobial, genetic changes can occur that enable the microbe to survive.
Microbes are living organisms, although small in nature, like bacteria, they are harmless and sometimes helpful to humans. However, some may become sources of infections and disease.
By misuse of medicines, we mean if you do not complete the dose of a prescribed antimicrobial drug, some microbes may survive and develop resistance to such drug(s).
Also, lack of clean water, sanitation/clean environment and inadequate infection prevention and control promotes the spread of microbes, some of which can be resistant to antimicrobial treatment.
Examples of resistance are Malaria, Gonorrhoea, Fungal infection, Tuberculosis amongst others. Resistance can spread via healthcare facilities, communities, food, environments/farms and animals.
HOW TO PREVENT RESISTANCE
To prevent drug-resistance infections, you must inculcate
- Safe food preparation practices help you avoid foodborne infections, wash your hands, your kitchen/cooking utensils, and the surfaces where you place things.
- Wash hands regularly and thoroughly. Make your hands wet with clean, running water, turn the tap off and apply your soap (liquid/bar). Make a lather by rubbing both hands together with the soap. Make sure you scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub for at least 20 seconds. If you are unsure about the timing, just sing the happy birthday song from beginning until the end twice and you are good to go. Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean running water, and air dry them or use a clean towel. It is also imperative to always wash your hands when you feed, care for or touch your pet animals.
- Use antibiotics as directed and only when necessary. Always talk with your doctor before taking any medication. This helps to prevent an overuse or wrong use of drugs.
- Vaccination: immunise yourself against infection by getting vaccinated.
- You can also prevent infections by building up your immune system with RIDA herbal Bitters. Rida has amazing antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial properties amongst others.
According to the UN, Without effective antimicrobials, the success of modern medicine in treating infections, including during major surgery and cancer chemotherapy, would be at increased risk. Therefore, protect yourself against germs and infections.
