Small stories, big health lessons (episode nine)

<h3>Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)</h3>A lancet study by Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance(GRAM) estimated that, if we do not act, antimicrobial resistance could cause up to 39 million deaths between 2025 and 2050.That sounds like one of those huge health problems that belongs somewhere far away, in laboratories and hospitals.But I tell you this,it is already happening.Antimicrobial resistance can start with something as ordinary as the way we use antibiotics.Picture this: Kola is prescribed an antibiotic. He takes it for three days, starts feeling better, and stops taking it.A few weeks later, Mama Tola has similar symptoms.Kola remembers the leftover antibiotics sitting somewhere in his cupboard.“Take this one. It worked for me.”And just like that, antibiotics have been shared, reused and taken without anyone asking the most important question:Do I actually need this drug?Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat every infection or illness, and they do not treat viruses or fungi.Yet sometimes, it is almost as if every symptom in Nigeria has one solution:Cough? Antibiotic.Common cold? Antibiotic.Fever? Antibiotic.Stomach upset? “Bring Flagyl.”Diarrhea? "Flagyl"Constipation? "Flagyl"Flagyl, Flagyl, Flagyl. Infact some people have an entire pharmacy for flagyl in their homes.Pleaseeee. Sometimes these things are even caused by an interaction in our body,and they'll resolve with enough fluids and rest.Metronidazole has legitimate uses, of course. The problem is using antibiotics simply because we have them at home or simply because someone had similar symptoms and got better after taking one.Take someone with typhoid who is prescribed Cipro. They take it for a few days, start feeling better and stop. The symptoms return later....maybe stronger. And they're prescribed the same antibiotic again. And then it gets harder to treat it.A recurrence does not always mean the bacteria has become resistant; there can be several other reasons symptoms return. But inappropriate antibiotic use, including unnecessary use and incorrect or incomplete treatment, can contribute to resistance and treatment failure. And resistance to important antibiotics is a real public health issue.So what even is antimicrobial Resistance?<img alt="" src="/media/inline_insight_image/1000897373.jpg"/>Antimicrobial resistance occurs when the microorganism causing an infection no longer responds to a medicine that was supposed to treat it.So the medicine that used to work may no longer work as expected.Some bacteria have developed resistance so much so that they've become superbugs,but that's not the issue today.Let's talk about cough, because it is one of those situations where the mistreatment happens a lot.Someone walks into a pharmacy complaining of cough, sore throat and cold symptoms and is immediately handed an antibiotic like Septrin.Why is that?For many uncomplicated respiratory infections, the issue is usually viral. And viral infections only need symptomatic treatment,as they resolve on their own.And what is symptomatic treatment?It can include things such as sore-throat relief preparations, appropriate cough syrups such as antitussives, antihistamines where indicated,lozenges, fluids, rest and other measures that help relieve the symptoms while the illness runs its course.Hydration is very important. And so is rest.The idea is that before you're given an antibiotic,you should have been on symptomatic treatment for at least three days,and when symptoms persist after those three days,then appropriate tests should be carried out to rule out bacterial infections. And you can also carry out the tests before the three days elapse.So imagine you're prescribed an antibiotic for a viral infection? Overtime, that is very dangerous. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections,not viral. You don't automatically need an antibiotic simply because you are coughing or your throat hurts.And this is where I want us to start asking questions.“What are you giving me this medicine for?”“What do you think is causing my symptoms?”“Do I actually need this,for now?"Know what you are being treated for. Know the medication you are being given and why.And if it is an antibiotic, know that some antibiotics are broad-spectrum. They act against a wide range of bacteria and have important uses, but they should not be something we casually take whenever we feel sick.As someone who is in the system,I know pharmas want to make money. And the implication still leads back to us in the long run.Know what you're taking.Ask questions!!!I can't even stress this enough. Please ask questions.We realize that some people sitting in pharmacy stores don't even have much knowledge on drugs. If anything,make sure you're either coming with your own prescription,or you speak to the pharmacist in charge.Just make sure to ask questions.Don't take antibiotics without a prescription or proper professional guidance. Don't share your antibiotics with someone else. Don't keep leftover antibiotics for the next illness.And if you are prescribed an antibiotic, take it exactly as prescribed and for the prescribed duration, unless your prescriber tells you otherwise.This applies to our animals too. If you keep livestock, don't give them antibiotics without proper veterinary guidance. Antibiotic use in animals is also part of the resistance problem, and this is one area that is often overlooked.And this is something we really need to talk about.I came across a post recently on Facebook where a farmer reported that a broiler was passing out what looked like ewedu, and someone immediately recommended Flagyl (metronidazole), tetracycline and amoxicillin. 😭😭😭Three antimicrobials, recommended from a comment section, without proper diagnosis.This is exactly why professional advice matters. I also heard of a case from a veterinary laboratory where a Vet was reviewing a microbial culture and sensitivity (MCS) result from a flock that was dying in large numbers. The bacteria were resistant to all the commonly tested antibiotics. At that point, the usual options were no longer working, and newer antibiotics had to be considered,else the flock will keep on dying.That is a huge problem.Sometimes, people avoid seeking professional help because they want to save money or because they think they can manage the problem themselves. But indiscriminate antibiotic use can make the eventual problem much harder and more expensive to treat.So please, whether it is you or your livestock, seek professional advice when dealing with suspected infections. It wouldn't you cost you as much as it will when resistance comes in.Antibiotics are precious.One day, you may genuinely need one.When that day comes, you would want it to work. 🌿Until next time,stay healthy and stay curious

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