The Growing Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance: Public Health Challenges

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health worldwide. It occurs when bacteria change in response to antibiotics and become resistant. Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, but when these microorganisms become resistant, they can survive and continue to multiply despite the presence of antibiotics. This makes common infections harder to treat and increases the risk of diseases spreading, causing severe illnesses to spread worldwide. At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we understand the gravity of antibiotic resistance and have committed ourselves to responsible antibiotic-prescribing practices.

The discovery of antibiotics was a significant breakthrough in medicine. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first true antibiotic. These drugs revolutionized healthcare, reducing illness and death from various infectious diseases; however, almost as soon as antibiotics were introduced, bacteria started to develop a resistance to treatment. This natural phenomenon occurs through genetic changes in bacteria and the misuse and overuse of antibiotics has accelerated this process. As part of our commitment to public health, TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track has earned an Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation from the Urgent Care Association (UCA) and College of Urgent Care Medicine (CUCM). This recognition underscores our dedication to responsible antibiotic prescribing, contributing to the broader effort to combat antibiotic resistance.

Factors Contributing to Antibiotic Resistance

Misuse and Overuse of Antibiotics

When antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed or not taken as directed, these scenarios can lead to the development of resistant bacteria. For instance, if a course of antibiotics is not completed, some bacteria may survive and develop resistance to the drug. Additionally, using antibiotics for viral infections like the common cold or flu, which are unaffected by these drugs, also contributes to the problem by being used for unnecessary purposes.

Lack of New Antibiotics Development

Developing new antibiotics is complex and costly with a high risk of failure. As a result, many pharmaceutical companies have withdrawn from antibiotic research over the past few decades. This has led to a dwindling pipeline of new drugs, leaving physicians ill-equipped to combat the rising tide of antibiotic resistance.

Global Travel and Food Trade

Global travel and food trade also play a role in antibiotic resistance. The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming can lead to resistant bacteria being transferred to humans through the food chain. Additionally, global travel allows resistant bacteria to spread quickly across borders along with poor hygiene and sanitation practices that provide ideal conditions for spreading resistant bacteria.

Impact of Antibiotic Resistance on Public Health

Increase in Healthcare Costs

The rise of antibiotic resistance is causing a significant increase in healthcare costs. When common antibiotics fail to work, more expensive treatments must be used. Additionally, patients with resistant infections will likely need more extensive healthcare services, contributing to the escalating costs of healthcare.

Longer Hospital Stays

Resistant infections are harder to treat and can cause serious complications, requiring extended medical care. Patients may need to be isolated to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria, further extending their hospital stay and putting serious pressure on hospital facilities.

Increased Mortality Rates

As the efficacy of antibiotics declines, illnesses that were once easily treatable can become deadly. If left unchecked, it is estimated that antibiotic resistance could cause over 5 million deaths each year by 2050, underscoring the urgent need for action to tackle this public health crisis.

Common Diseases Becoming Harder to Treat

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease primarily effecting the lungs and has become increasingly challenging to treat due to antibiotic resistance. The World Health Organization reports that drug-resistant TB is a threat with traditional first-line treatments often being ineffective against certain strains of TB. The inability of some antibiotics to work against certain TB strands can lead to prolonged treatment durations and less favorable patient outcomes.

Staph Infections

Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as “staph,” is another bacterium becoming resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a notable example. MRSA infections are difficult to treat and can lead to severe health complications. These infections were once confined to hospitals and healthcare settings but are now increasingly found in community environments.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection, has also developed such a strong resistance to antibiotics that the CDC now refers to it as a “superbug.” The rise of drug-resistant gonorrhea necessitates new treatment strategies, and failure to manage this disease and find new treatment strategies could result in an untreatable form of the disease.

Global Efforts to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

Surveillance and Monitoring Systems

Around the globe, surveillance and monitoring systems are being established to track antibiotic resistance. These systems collect data on the occurrence of resistant bacteria, helping scientists understand their spread and impact. The World Health Organization and the CDC are the major organizations spearheading these efforts. They aim to use this data to develop effective strategies and interventions to combat antibiotic resistance.

Infection Prevention and Control Measures

Stringent infection prevention and control measures are being implemented globally to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These measures include proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment in healthcare settings, and isolation of infected patients. The National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria prioritizes such practices to slow the spread of resistant infections and reduce the need for antibiotic use.

Public Education and Awareness Campaigns

Public education and awareness campaigns are crucial in the global fight against antibiotic resistance. Such campaigns aim to increase understanding of the issue and promote responsible use of antibiotics. The World Antibiotic Awareness Week, held annually since 2015, is a global initiative highlighting the threat of antimicrobial resistance and encouraging best practices among the general public, health workers, and policymakers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Antibiotic Resistance