Once upon a time, a bacteria named Staphylococcus aureus started spreading a severe bone infection known as Ostemylities across the globe. Several started losing their lives until the medical experts discovered the effectiveness of penicillin in treating the problem. Next thing, the doctors started giving antibiotics to people with Ostemylities.
But this didn't last long. Gradually the S.aureus bacteria started resisting the effects of penicillin, and the bacteria's genome evolved to become penicillin-resistant.
Fast forwarding to May 2015, the World Health Organisation realised the increased death cases due to antibiotic resistance in various fungi. Thus, the organisation declared the condition a global health threat and decided to raise awareness against antibiotic resistance through an antibiotic awareness campaign. The campaign, celebrated between 18-24 November every year, is known as World Antimicrobial Awareness Week or Antibiotic Awareness Week.
Today through this article, we will educate you with everything that you need to know about antibiotic awareness week. But first, let's start by addressing what antibiotics are.
What are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are therapeutic drugs that suppress the effect or kill other microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. Antibiotics are substances secreted by biological organisms and are used to kill another inferior organism. For instance, the penicillin used to treat osteomyelitis was first secreted by Penicillium fungus. Further, penicillin was genetically improved to enhance its effects and treat specific problems. Some familiar names of antibiotics that can be easily heard in Indian households are Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Metronidazole, etc.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
Once we take antibiotics frequently to reduce the effects or kill a specific pathogen inside our body, the pathogen starts fighting with the antibiotic and gradually develops resistance against it. This resistance of the pathogen against the drug is known as antimicrobial resistance.
How Does Antimicrobial Awareness Week Help?
During Antimicrobial awareness week from 18th to 24th November every year, the WHO urges various authorities to spread awareness on the threats of antimicrobial and educate the people about the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Tips on How to Celebrate Antibiotic Awareness Week
The World Health Organisation annually urges people worldwide to celebrate Antibiotic Awareness Week with an appropriate slogan. This year, the motto is:
"Preventing antimicrobial resistance together."
This year to participate in the AMR awareness week and to come together to prevent antimicrobial resistance; you can follow the below-mentioned tips:
Avoid the Profuse use of Antibiotics
Usually, when viral fever strikes, people take antibiotic doses without consulting their doctor. Although this use of antibiotics may help you feel better, the step contributes largely to enhanced antimicrobial resistance.
One of the biggest causes of increasing antimicrobial resistance is the profuse use of antibiotics. This year, pledge to avoid using antibiotics without consulting a medical expert.
Spread Awareness among Friends and Family
If you find friends and family absurdly taking antibiotics for all physiological problems, tell them not to do so. Educate them about the possible threats they may be inviting by taking antibiotic pills regularly.
Learn more about Antibiotic Resistance
While you raise awareness about the appropriate use of antibiotics, ensure that you, too, learn more about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Keep a check on the recently discovered antibiotic-resistant diseases so that you do not end up taking medicines that are not appropriate.
Follow a Healthy Lifestyle Always
Prevention is better than cure. Hence, follow a healthy and active lifestyle to stay immune to various daily-life diseases. Allow your body to heal from common problems such as body aches, colds, and mild fever. Only head to a doctor if the condition persists.
>>Check: How to Lead a Healthy Lifestyle?
Before We Wrap It Up!
Antibiotics are indeed a very crucial part of medicine. These are drugs used to kill the foreign pathogens inside the body; however, if misused, these drugs have adverse effects on an individual's physiology. Thus, one must always take antibiotics with an expert's prescription.
Another reason people take antibiotics and other medicines on their own is the lack of sources to reach a doctor in times of need. Hence, to cover yourself financially for any such condition, you can rely on your best companion- a health insurance plan.
If you are yet to be covered then you can consider our health insurance policy at Care Health Insurance, which comprehensively covers the individual during a medical emergency through its cashless network of hospitals across PAN India.
This Antimicrobial Awareness Day, let us join hands together and protect ourselves and our loved ones from the threat of antimicrobial resistance!
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