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You are probably wondering what antimicrobial resistance is, and that’s normal, It is a word that we professionals in the health sector mainly deal with. But if we talk about antibiotic resistance, you will probably already know what we mean.
It basically means that inappropriate use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents can reduce the effectiveness of treatments when they are needed, hindering the healing processes of infections and thus increasing the risk of complications. This is popularly known as our bodies becoming resistant to treatments and these are not as effective as they should be, although in reality, it is bacteria, viruses, fungi and other micro-organisms that become resistant.
During World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, celebrated from November 18 to 24, the urgency of addressing one of the most serious global public health challenges is highlighted: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
What is antimicrobial resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms develop the ability to resist the effects of drugs designed to kill or inhibit their growth. of drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth.
The main concern is multi-drug resistant (multi-drug resistant) bacteria, such as those that cause urinary tract infections, pneumonias and sepsis, which become difficult to treat and can trigger secondary problems.
But… how can we know if our body is experiencing this type of antimicrobial resistance?
One of the ways is through laboratory tests which, always prescribed by a physician, are crucial tools to identify these resistant micro-organisms and provide sufficient information to personalise treatments.
These tests can be:
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- Culture and antibiogramAntibiotic resistance testing: essential to identify the bacteria responsible for an infection and to assess their resistance to different antibiotics. The procedure begins with the culture of the sample, allowing the growth of bacteria for analysis. Subsequently, in the antibiogram, the bacteria are subjected to the action of various antibiotics, observing which ones inhibit their growth and thus helping to determine which would be the most effective treatment against it.
- Molecular detection tests : Molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allow the detection of specific resistance genes in micro-organisms.
- Extended sensitivity testing : in cases of severe infections or in hospitalised patients, more detailed sensitivity tests can be performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic. determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic.
Tips for the appropriate use of antibiotics
To prevent our body from suffering from this type of resistance, it is always absolutely necessary to It is advisable to take medication only if it has been prescribed by a doctor. It is important not only to avoid self-medication, but also to be scrupulous about the recommended dosage, dosing times, dosage and treatment time, even if there are no more symptoms.
Also, remember that antibiotics are not effective against viruses, such as those that cause the common cold or flu. Using them in these cases is of no benefit and contributes to resistance.
Vaccines are always an effective tool to reduce the incidence of both bacterial and viral infections. incidence of both bacterial and viral infections, thus avoiding contracting the disease and having to resort to antimicrobials.
Finally, there are also habits in our daily lives that can help us prevent infections, such as practising good hygiene and avoiding close contact with sick people, two basic rules that we all learned and remember from the COVID-19 pandemic, but which apply to many other situations.
In any case, common sense must always be the most common of senses. And if symptoms of any kind of infection are present, the first step should always be to consult a doctor.