10 Scary Reality of Antibiotic Resistance: How it is Putting Lives at Risk

The world has faced a greater antibiotic resistance crisis as many antibiotics are used to treat patients with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The International Union Against Cancer has revealed that 750,000 people die each year worldwide from infections by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, they warned that if this trend continues, the number of victims of resistant bacteria could reach 10 million by 2050. So, what is antibiotic resistance, what are the types of antibiotics, and what are their side effects? Let’s find out everything about antibiotics.

What are Antibiotics?

Even if you’re not interested in medicine, you’ve probably heard the word “antibiotics.” An antibiotic is originally a substance produced by microorganisms such as fungi to inhibit bacteria in a survival competition. Since Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin, in 1929, it has saved humanity from deadly diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

What are the types of Antibiotics?

How many types of antibiotics are there? The antibiotic used for treatment depends on the type of causative bacteria and the site of infection. The antibiotics we commonly use are classified based on their mechanism of action and antibacterial range. They can be divided into antibiotics that act on the cell wall, cell membrane, ribosomes, and nucleic acids and are classified into various categories, such as penicillin, cephalosporin, monobactam, carbapenem, aminoglycoside, quinolone, etc., depending on the range of bacteria to which the antibiotic shows its effect.

What are the side effects of Antibiotics?

Like all drugs in the world, antibiotics also have side effects. It has been revealed that there is about a 5% probability of side effects during antibiotic treatment. In most cases, there is no particular problem, but occasionally, skin hypersensitivity or gastrointestinal side effects may occur. In severe cases, it may appear in the blood, nervous system, heart, kidney, etc., and if shock, encephalitis, blindness, etc., occur, hospitalization may be necessary.

What is Penicillin Antibiotic?

A skin reaction test should be done before using penicillin antibiotics. This is to prevent serious side effects like shock. If you need to be prescribed antibiotics, you should tell your doctor about your past side effect history to antibiotics and explain in detail whether you currently have a disease to check if you can use antibiotics.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

What is the antibiotic resistance that is now threatening humanity? Humans have fought against numerous viruses and bacteria and developed medicine from the past to the present. Antibiotic resistance means that the antibiotics produced in the past are no longer effective, caused by the emergence of super bacteria that don’t respond to the drugs. This means that doctors can’t prescribe antibiotics to patients. Also, if antibiotic-resistant bacteria become rampant, even a simple wound could be life-threatening.

The Emergence of Antibiotic-Resistant Typhus Bacteria

Typhoid fever is a febrile disease transmitted through contaminated water and food, showing symptoms such as high fever, chills, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. There is no specific treatment, but the mortality rate drops to around 1% with symptomatic treatments such as fluid and electrolyte replenishment or antibiotic administration. Recently, it was reported that antibiotic-resistant typhus bacteria that occurred in India and Bangladesh have spread to various countries around the world, crossing borders 197 times in the last 30 years.

Why has Antibiotic Resistance Intensified?

The potent drugs produced to defend against COVID-19 have given birth to viruses with strong resistance. According to the U.S. medical specialist media, Medical News, recent research revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified antibiotic resistance in U.S. hospitals was presented at the European Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Association (ECCMID) held in Lisbon, Portugal.

How to Overcome Antibiotic Resistance

1. Follow the prescription correctly

What are the ways to overcome antibiotic resistance? The first is to stick to the correct prescription method. You should not arbitrarily request antibiotic prescriptions from doctors; taking them for the prescribed process and period is necessary. Also, use antibiotics only when they are prescribed. Medical professionals have stated that proper antibiotic use is the answer to preventing antibiotic resistance.

How to Overcome Antibiotic Resistance

2. Recognize the antibiotic resistance problem

Since 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the third week of November each year as “World Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week” and recommends that each country conduct campaigns. The WHO declared antibiotic resistance a “public health crisis facing humanity.” To overcome antibiotic resistance, we must first recognize the problem of antibiotic resistance. Since human, animal, and environmental health are all closely related, experts from various fields must work together to overcome antibiotic resistance.

What are the foods that are good for antibiotic resistance?

A diet rich in soluble fiber is recommended as a food that can reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance in gut bacteria. According to U.S. Agricultural Research Service researchers, there was a significant correlation between regularly consuming a diet containing soluble fiber and reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance. Foods rich in soluble fiber include barley and oats, fruits like oranges and apples, seaweed, nuts, and more.

By. Oh Hye In