What are microorganisms?
Microorganisms, also known as 'pathogens', include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, can cause infection in our body. Infection happens when microorganisms invade our body and start to multiply, causing harmful reactions in our body. Whether or not we have become symptomatic, our body can actually kill the pathogens. However, when the pathogen is excessive or when our immune system is weak, we might need to get antibiotics to treat the infections. Antibiotics are chemicals that kill or stop the growth of microorganisms.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top 10 global public health threat facing humanity. According to the Lancet, estimated 4.95 million deaths associated with bacterial AMR and of those, 1.27million people died directly due to AMR in 2019. Antimicrobial resistance is defined as the loss of effectiveness of antimicrobial medicine, including
antibacterial, antivirus, antifungal and antiparasitics agents. This happens when microorganisms change and adapt their characteristics to become resistant to antimicrobial agents, rendering these agents ineffective against the microorganisms. Microorganisms
have been known to spread their resistance ability to other microorganisms, even to those not of their species.
How does it affect us?
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to patients, our healthcare system, government and the economy. This phenomenon makes it difficult for healthcare professionals to treat even common infections such as strep throat. As a result, patients may:
- Have poor clinical outcomes
- Require longer hospital stay
- Require more intensive care and follow-ups,
- Spend more money on healthcare
Furthermore, it would be too risky to carry out surgery and chemotherapy for patients who need them due to the ineffectiveness of antimicrobials to prevent infection.
The research and development of new antimicrobials is highly time and cost-consuming. Therefore, in the future, patients with antimicrobial-resistant infections will need to pay more for these expensive antimicrobials.
How can we prevent antimicrobial resistance?
The inappropriate usage of antimicrobials, including mis-use, under-use and over-use, is one of the common issues that drives the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. To curb this issue, many healthcare providers are conducting antimicrobial stewardship
to optimize the prescription of antibacterial drugs. This ensures that the patient is getting the right antibacterials, the right dose, at the right time, for a right duration, while minimizing harm to the patient.
The general public can help to hinder the development of antimicrobial resistance. Preventing the spread of infections is the best method. Completely preventing infections is impossible, but we can try to reduce the risk of spreading microorganisms through
carrying out these practices diligently:
- Perform good hand hygiene
- Wear mask properly
- Get routine vaccinations
- Practice hygienic habits around animals
- Preparing food safely
People with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiac diseases are at a higher risk for severe illness from infection. Therefore, those at risk should always take good care to maintain their chronic conditions under control, and keep cuts or wounds
clean and covered until healed if injured.
It is important to take prescribed antimicrobials properly to reduce the chances of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial medicines are not always needed. Therefore, always consult your doctor
or veterinarian for the best treatment option if you, your family, or your pet gets sick. If antimicrobial medicine is prescribed, make sure to complete the whole course unless instructed otherwise by the doctor or veterinarian.
It is everyone’s responsibility to fight against Antimicrobial Resistance!
