The Best Action Plan To Protect The World From AMR

AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) is becoming one of the major reasons behind severe health issues. International health agencies have initiated action plans to end this health issue, and many research-driven drug companies have also started contributing to it.

Antimicrobial Resistance is developed when we overuse antibiotics to protect us from bacterial infections. After a certain period of overuse, bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Antimicrobial Resistance can cause many dangerous health issues.

Awareness Is The Answer!

What will be the best effort to save the world from AMR? This question is still not answered officially by many. However, many healthcare leaders came to the forefront to answer this question and implement the answer practically, like generating awareness during Antimicrobial Resistance Week. 

Awareness is the best way to avoid AMR, and it can be used at two different levels. The first level is before the resistance gets developed in someone’s body, and the second is general awareness, where the whole healthcare industry is made aware of it.

First Level…

In the first level, the awareness should reach the individual level, where people who take antibiotics must be aware of Antimicrobial Resistance. Currently, most individuals who take antibiotics to prevent infections are not familiar with the challenges they can face if AMR starts troubling them.

So how would they protect themselves from infections? Prevention is better than cure. They must develop some good habits to avoid infections. If there are fewer or no conditions, there will be no need for Antibiotics. You need to take the following steps to stop diseases from annoying you. 

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is a crucial role player in infection control. Ensure that you wash your hands after touching a suspicious or highly connected object. Make sure you cover your face while sneezing, etc. 

Vaccination

Antimicrobial Resistance in the age of Covid-19 became more common because many people consumed antibiotics even after a mild cold, cough, and fever. However, vaccination is the only solution to make yourself safe from infections like Covid-19. 

Sanitizing & Disinfecting

Viruses and bacteria can be everywhere, so you need to tackle them with the right sanitizing and disinfection product. Usually, when there are more risks of infection spread, there is an overuse of sanitizing products. Overusing a sanitizer that has alcohol as the primary component is not safe; that is why you need something that has natural and organic ingredients. 

Second Level…

At the second level, all of us, from healthcare professionals to consumers, need to take preventive and careful steps related to antibiotics. Following are these steps:

No Antibiotics without Prescription

In a study conducted by the Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR), it is stated that antimicrobial resistance in India is rapidly spreading due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Make it a rule of thumb, without the prescription received from an expert; you will not consume any antibiotics. 

Antibiotics Are Not Shareable

Sometimes people share the antibiotics prescribed for them with others like family members, friends, and colleagues, but it is not the right way to use an antibiotic. Antibiotics prescribed to you are not compatible with someone else’s body. 

Antibiotics For Specific Infections Only

There are some misconceptions about antibiotics, and one of them is that antibiotics are effective on all infections, but that is not true. It should be made a specific factor to consider while prescribing or consuming antibiotics. 

Conclusion

Antimicrobial resistance and infection control are two sides of the same coin. We need to control the infection spreads, and as one of the ways antibiotics are used, antimicrobial resistance starts developing. The whole healthcare industry needs to make sure there is enough awareness about AMR so that individuals can take preventive measures to avoid the overuse of antibiotics.

– Pankaj Rai