..kaaldo
Written by Haifa Ghaith
What is (Antibiotic Resistance) Antibiotic resistance is the adaptive changes or mutations that occur in some types of bacteria, which allow them to multiply and survive despite the presence of antibiotics that would originally be able to kill and stop them, as antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and some fungi, The development of antibiotic resistance reduces effective treatment options against an infection, increases the difficulty of treatment, and increases the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases that are difficult to control or easily recurring
?What are the causes of antibiotic resistance One of the most important causes of antibiotic resistance is genetic mutations, where a mutation occurs in the DNA of bacteria, which is part of the normal development of living organisms, and these genetic changes enable bacteria to avoid the mechanism of action of some antibiotics, grow, reproduce and survive
Horizontal gene transfers, a rare process that leads to the transmission and spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria
Misuse of antibiotics, such as the use of antibiotics by individuals without a diagnosis, or their use unnecessarily, such as in cases of infection with cold and flu viruses
Misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, rather than use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics that specifically target the bacteria causing the infection; This may lead to the production of resistant bacteria as a result of what is known as selective pressure
The intensive use of antibiotics in hospitals, as many patients with critical conditions in the hospital need to use antibiotics, but this increased use has created a suitable environment for germs to easily develop antibiotic resistance
The use of antibiotics for non-purposes, such as agricultural use, where some people add them to agricultural feeds, which plays a role in enhancing drug resistance
?What types of bacteria are resistant to antibiotics Methicillin-Resistant: Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Which is widely spread in hospitals and health care settings Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) Carbapenem-resistant intestinal bacteria Foodborne bacteria responsible for food poisoning, such as Escherichia coli and salmonella
The sexually transmitted bacteria that cause gonorrhea Penicillin-resistant staphylococci that cause pneumonia
?How is an antibiotic-resistant infection diagnosed By using diagnostic tests to identify the microbe that caused the infection, in addition to identifying the antibiotics that this microbe may be resistant to. This is done by taking samples of blood, urine, stool, sputum, tissues, cerebrospinal fluid, or mucus from the nose, throat, or genitals, and then examining them under a microscope, where some samples are grown, in order to allow the causative microbe for infection to grow and thus test it and determine its exact type, then verify its resistance to drugs, the results of this test require a few weeks, so in many cases a type of broad-spectrum antibiotic is prescribed earlier
?What is the treatment for antibiotic-resistant bacteria When a patient is infected with one of the types of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, the doctor prescribes alternative antibiotics that have the ability to combat bacterial or fungal infections, as the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms develops towards one or more types of antibiotics, not all of them
?What are the risks of antibiotic resistance Treatment failure, leading to chronic health problems High rates of health complications of diseases, and mortality rates Increased risk of side effects from the alternative medicines used, as the alternative treatment could be less effective and more toxic Recurrence of infection or return of symptoms after treatment Increased duration of treatment or hospital stay Increased treatment costs
?How can we limit the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria Prescribing antibiotics only when necessary, and only for the necessary period Prescribing the appropriate antibiotic, which targets the bacteria involved Educate patients on how to properly use and take antibiotics, and educate them about the risks of antibiotic resistance Try to avoid infection as much as possible by maintaining personal hygiene Avoid crowded places and maintain a safe distance between people