Expertise

Overuse of antibiotics is leading to an increase in antimicrobial resistance that could have frightening consequences for healthcare. Here’s what you need to know.

Imagine a world without antibiotics. In this world, common problems like bladder infections and strep throat wouldn’t have cures, turning what are now easily treatable infections into serious threats to our health. And that’s just the start of the consequences.

“It would threaten the way we perform medical procedures because without effective antibiotics, you can’t perform surgery – the risk of infection would be too high,” says Andriette van Jaarsveld, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Mediclinic South Africa. “We wouldn’t be able to perform C-sections, or knee replacements; we would not be able to provide chemotherapy. It’s also an economic threat because people would be unable to work.” The threat is real, Van Jaarsveld stresses.

What is antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when germs like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can survive and keep growing even when treated with drugs that are meant to kill them. For bacteria, this means that the antibiotics we created to fight them don’t work anymore because the bacteria have changed and learned how to resist the drugs.

It’s a serious problem worldwide. “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top 10 global public health threats, threatening to reverse the miracles of modern medicine,” says Van Jaarsveld. “It’s a huge threat – much bigger than COVID-19.”

Resistant microbes

Microorganisms naturally evolve to protect themselves from threats. However, this process is getting worse in humans, animals, and plants because of the overuse and improper use of antimicrobials, like antibiotics, Van Jaarsveld points out.

“We use antimicrobials to kill susceptible microbes, but resistant ones survive and multiply. Resistant organisms can spread between people, animals, plants and the environment. So, the mere fact that we use antibiotics is increasing the development of antimicrobial resistance. We need them to save lives, but we often use them inappropriately. This puts an unnecessary burden on our existing antimicrobials.”

How antimicrobials are misused

Van Jaarsveld says agriculture is a major contributor to the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, both in livestock and crops. But another major factor is people misusing antibiotics. “So many people are using antibiotics inappropriately, and for infections where they don't need them, like viral infections. It's crucial that we stop the unnecessary use and the misuse of antimicrobials.”

Ways to slow down antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a natural process, which means it can’t be stopped entirely. But there are effective ways to slow it down. In the medical community the focus is on educating healthcare professionals to use antimicrobials correctly. This means not prescribing them unnecessarily, and when they are prescribed, doing so at the correct dosage, says Van Jaarsveld. The public also has a crucial role in this effort.

  • Stay healthy: Washing your hands regularly and getting all your required vaccinations will lower your chances of becoming ill and needing antibiotics.
  • Never ask for antibiotics: A lot of antibiotic overprescription is the result of patients putting pressure on their doctors, says Van Jaarsveld. “Always tell them that you want to be sure it’s a bacterial infection before you take an antibiotic.”
  • Use antibiotics correctly: Using an antibiotic for a viral infection will not make you feel better. If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic, always use it exactly as prescribed.
  • Never share antibiotics: If they were prescribed for you, they’re only for you.

“I don’t want to be a prophet of doom, but this is terrifying,” says Van Jaarsveld. “If bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics, we’ll experience a pandemic that could result in a higher death toll than the COVID-19 pandemic. The difference is that we can do something about it. The question is, do you want to?”