:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elfinanciero/IJNZAKTRSVC3TE3WQSNEPSN5SM.jpeg "What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? Could this ‘silent epidemic’ kill more people than cancer? – finance")
this mexican health authorities They issued an epidemiological warning due to an increase in respiratory illnesses in the country. This rebound is caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as other illnesses such as influenza, common cold and even cases of COVID-19.
When a person has a respiratory illness, they often turn to antibiotics. Seven out of 10 people with respiratory conditions take medications Last semester without consulting a doctorAccording to the Star 2023 Respiratory Study, the study considered people from four continents and 12 countries, including Mexico.
However, The cure may be more expensive than the disease.Taking antibiotics can have consequences in the long run Become an epidemic called RAMthat is, antimicrobial resistance.
What is AMR in public health? What are the adverse effects?
Taking antibiotics without a prescription to treat respiratory illness Promote antimicrobial resistance.
Given this situation, you might be thinking What are antibacterial agents.its about Medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. This category includes medications such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change and stop responding to medications.
that change making it more difficult to treat the infection and Increased risk of spreading diseasesevere illness or even death.
These changes occur after frequent exposure of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) to antimicrobial agents.
Why is antimicrobial resistance a concern?
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The results of the Star investigation were shocking. 55% of people Participants pointed out Get medications from a prescription are provided directly by doctors, while others purchase them directly through pharmacy staff, although there is no medical prescription or diagnosis to support their use.
studies show that, 55% participant’s Misconception that antibiotics can kill viruses58% thought they were effective for sore throats, 56% for general pain, 5% for colds and flu, and 6% said they provided quick relief.
“These misconceptions are concerning and require urgent attention. It is important to understand Antibiotics are not used to relieve painand understanding that respiratory infections are not always serious.
“The focus of a visit to your doctor should be to rule out serious infections and get advice on symptom relief, rather than prescribing antibiotics,” said Dr. Ana María Ocaña, medical manager at Reckitt Benckiser Mexico.
The World Health Organization says taking antibiotics and other drugs can impair “the ability to treat common infections.”
“This is especially The rapid global spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria is alarming and pan-drug-resistant bacteria (also known as ‘superbugs’), which cause infections that cannot be treated by current antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics,” he said.
Why is antimicrobial resistance causing a pandemic and killing more than cancer?
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Updated WHO data as of November 2021 shows Common bacterial infections affecting treatment due to antimicrobial resistance.
“For common bacterial infections—such as urinary tract infections, sepsis, sexually transmitted infections, and some forms of diarrhea— High levels of antibiotic resistance observed globally Often used in treatment, this indicates that effective antibiotics are being depleted. “
Some diseases and medications whose treatment or effectiveness is affected include:
- CiprofloxacinAn antibiotic commonly used to treat urinary tract infections, its concentration in E. coli ranges from 8.4% to 92.9% and in Klebsiella pneumoniae ranges from 4.1% to 79.4%.
- The World Health Organization highlighted the case Klebsiella pneumoniae, a common intestinal bacterium It can lead to life-threatening infections and is resistant to the last-resort treatment of carbapenem antibiotics. The organization reports that the call has reached all regions of the world.
- “Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important cause of hospital infectionssuch as pneumonia, sepsis or infection in neonates and intensive care unit patients.
- According to WHO, E. coli becomes resistant to antibiotics It’s very common. “In many parts of the world, there are countries where more than half of patients do not respond to this treatment.”
In this case, there are predictions that antimicrobial resistance If no action is taken, the death toll from (RAM) will exceed that from cancer within a few years.