Bad habits of citizens put health system at serious risk

Laws in Argentina restrict sales for weeks antibiotic, antiviral and antiparasitic drugs in the country. Now pharmacies can only dispense these drugs by prescription, that is, they must be used under strict prescription and medical supervision. The reason is that bacteria have developed a huge resistance in the world due to self-medication or the wrong prescription of these remedies.

In some households it is common to have a large box of medicines on hand “just in case”.While some are necessary to deal with emergencies, such as high fever or vomiting, it is dangerous to use antibiotic If you are infected. A little bottle of Gotabiotic left over from conjunctivitis, amoxicillin pills for sore throats, just to name a few.

The problem is, if you don’t know which virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite might be causing an infection in your body, taking antibiotic “Because yes” could make it worse. Virginia Gómez, technical director of the pharmacy at the Hospital del Carmen in Mendoza, explained that the situation is serious for patients: “When the bacteria are exposed to this antibiotic, they understand the mechanism, and the next time they will Know how it works.” When it works, they develop a resistance, a way to bypass that mechanism and become stronger. Antibiotics won’t kill them. “

It’s also serious for the medical system in general, because “bacteria can communicate, pass this resistance between themselves,” explains Gomez. They call these superbugs.Lots of antibiotic It can be used to treat certain infections. In addition, the pharmacist said there are “virtually no new molecules on the market” that are effective in treating these diseases. “This means more people are being hospitalized Infectthere are fewer treatments and many antibiotics have to be used in combination, which creates big problems for the whole health system.”

that’s why OSM (World Health Organization) Advocates for public policies to limit and control the use of these substances. In this sense, he warns, the number of infections (such as gonorrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis and salmonellosis) is increasing and treatment is becoming more difficult as drugs fail. antibiotic.Furthermore, this resistance antibiotic

It prolongs hospital stays, increases medical costs and increases mortality.

Risks of Self-Medication

On the other hand, Virgina Gomez with Miz Regarding the risks involved in using any remedy without a medical prescription. “I don’t know about the possible adverse reactions, allergies, or how it might interact with other medications or nutritionals or supplements I’ve been taking. There’s already a risk there,” said the pharmacy manager at the Hospital de Carmen.

in the case of antibioticAlso, you must always follow your doctor’s instructions. Taking the right dose at the right time, on the right day, ensures that the medicine does what it’s supposed to do and fights the infection.