What Is Antibiotic Resistance? Causes, Risks, and Prevention

Antibiotic resistance has become the most serious global issue to the effective treatment of bacterial infections. Let’s examine how the misuse and overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. Also, learn how to combat the antibiotic resistance crisis safely.

Antibiotics & Antibiotic Resistance: Introduction

Antibiotic Resistance has an adverse effect on therapeutic outcomes, with consequences ranging from treatment failures and the requirement for safer alternatives to higher rates of morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays, and high healthcare costs, and expansive healthcare. Infectious diseases have led to global pandemics and outbreaks that have resulted in countless deaths throughout history. From the Plague of Athens during the Peloponnesian War in 430 BC, which caused the death of approximately one-third of the population, to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which has resulted in 14.9 million deaths, according to reports from the WHO, all have demonstrated the massive impact of infectious diseases on the population worldwide. Thus, antibiotics are introduced to lower mortality due to infection.

Antibiotic pollution has resulted from the inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics. When antibiotics are taken, body enzymes break down the antibiotic agent and convert it into the active substance that prevents the growth of microbes, thereby treating the infection. Unmetabolized antibiotics, also known as antibiotic residues, are then excreted through urine or faeces and enter the environment via sewage systems, resulting in an increased level of antibiotics in nature. Too many antibiotics in the body cause the bacteria to undergo a process that causes pathogens to mutate (change) and develop immunity towards existing antibiotics. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria are called superbugs, which contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance genes that enable them to resist antibiotics.

Antibiotic consumption globally & impact of antibiotic pollution

In recent years, the use of antibiotics worldwide has increased due to the development of new antibiotics and the continuous emergence of infectious diseases. 

As people become more aware of the risks associated with infectious diseases, there is an increasing demand for antibiotics. The lack of knowledge about the risks associated with antibiotic pollution and the improper handling of these medicines contributes to the release of many antibiotics into the environment, which in turn increases the likelihood of developing antibiotic resistance.   

Antibiotic resistance 

Antibiotic resistance meaning: Antibiotic resistance is defined as the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics. Numerous microorganisms possess inherent resistance mechanisms that predate the discovery of antibiotics. The extensive use of these medicines in humans, as well as in animals, has created pressure that has encouraged the emergence of resistant isolates. The antibiotic’s usage puts a selective pressure on the microbial population; the more antibiotics used, the greater this pressure. For over seventy years, antibiotics have been successfully used in the treatment of bacterial infections. Many infectious organisms, on the contrary, have evolved resistance to the medications made to destroy them over time. 

Some people are vulnerable to these antibiotic-resistant infections, including newborn babies, the elderly over 65 years of age, individuals with a compromised immune system and those who take antibiotics for a longer duration.

Causes of antibiotic resistance

Microbes, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, are living organisms that tend to evolve. They are born to reproduce, thrive and spread quickly and efficiently. Therefore, microbes adapt. They also adapt to their environments and change to survive. When antibiotics inhibit microbial growth, genetic changes can occur that cause microbes to survive. This can occur through mutations during reproduction, ultimately leading to beneficial changes in a microbe’s ability to withstand the antibiotic. Microbes can also acquire resistance genes from other microbes via gene transfer, accelerating the development of resistance.

Bacteria naturally get resistant to antibiotic drugs over time. But certain factors are behind the speeding of the process, including:

Misuse of antibiotics: In case you skip taking one or two doses of the antibiotic, stop treatment too soon, or use someone else’s medicine without a prescription, bacteria begin to reproduce. As they multiply, they can mutate. Mutated ones become increasingly resistant to antibiotics. These medications can destroy the bacteria that haven’t developed resistance to treatment, but they leave the resistant bacteria behind.

Overuse of antibiotics: The use of antibiotics when the body doesn’t require them gives rise to antibiotic resistance. For example, viruses are responsible for causing most sore throats. Antibiotics are not effective. Therefore, it is essential to take antibiotics only when your healthcare specialist determines they are necessary and prescribes them. 

Spontaneous resistance: In some cases, the DNA of bacteria changes on its own. The antibiotics are unable to identify these newly mutated bacteria and therefore cannot target them effectively. Or the changes bacteria fight off the medicine’s effect.  

Transmitted resistance: It is possible to pass a drug-resistant bacterial infection to someone else through contact. That individual now has an infection that will not respond to an antibiotic. Some alternative treatments will work. However, as time passes, the resistant bacteria become increasingly difficult to treat.

Combatting antibiotic resistance

Scientists and healthcare professionals must work diligently to effect changes on a global scale. But this doesn’t mean nothing is in your hands, there’s a lot you can do to change things. Here are a few tips to prevent antibiotic resistance:

Practice good hygiene: It is essential to protect yourself from infection, as this can help prevent bacterial infections that often require antibiotics. Here, it is essential to recognise that the more antibiotics are used, the greater the problem of antibiotic resistance becomes. Washing hands is one important step you can take.   You may also receive additional guidance from your healthcare provider. 

Take antibiotics only when required: Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections. However, sometimes viral and bacterial infections exhibit similar signs and symptoms. So, you might mistakenly believe that you need antibiotic treatment when you don’t. If you become ill, consult your healthcare professional to determine the type of medical treatment you require, as well as the underlying reason.

Get vaccinated: Currently, no vaccines are available for most bacteria that cause antibiotic-resistant infections. However, an exception is the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumococcal disease. The vaccine is important for children under two years of age and adults aged 65 years and older. Other vaccines are also important, including Flu shots, which offer protection against viral infections. Avoiding viral infections helps prevent symptoms that may lead to the use of unnecessary antibiotics.      

Discuss with your healthcare professional ways to maintain your health and well-being. They can advise tailored to your unique medical needs.