The warning — “antibiotic resistance is growing, and we’re fast running out of treatment options” — was loud and clear.
AIIMS study
Issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) recently, the warning only reinforced the findings of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) research, which showed that antibiotic resistance can affect individuals of any age, even children. It found that nearly 26% of babies with sepsis died since multiple drug resistance (MDR) made the ailment untreatable.
To assist in the “treatment” of antibiotic resistance and its impact on patients and communities, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is working on a book on and titled “When Not to Use Antibiotics”.
K.K. Aggarwal of the IMA said: “This is a public health problem, one that’s rapidly spreading across the globe and without enough resources to control it. We’re also concerned about declining research in the field of newer antibiotics and support the formulation of a national antibiotic policy. Paediatricians say children are becoming increasingly powerless in the fight against even common ailments like urinary tract infection due to antibiotic abuse.”
A note issued by the association said the retrospective study by researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine observed that more than 75% of antibiotic-resistant infections were already present at the time of hospitalisation, contradicting earlier studies showing that some infections were mostly hospital acquired.
Adverse impact
R.N. Tandon of the IMA said: “Antibiotic resistance has made it harder for us to treat many infections such as typhoid, pneumonia and tuberculosis. Antibiotic resistance prolongs hospitalisation, increases cost of treatment and increases the risk of death. Several studies have corroborated the adverse impact of antibiotic resistance on health. The AIIMS study has, yet again, highlighted the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance.”
“Bacterial infections resistant to multiple antibiotics is a concern especially in children. This as there are a limited number of stronger antibiotics currently approved for children compared to adults, putting them at higher risk of worse clinical outcomes. Taking cognizance of the impact of antibiotic resistant infections, the IMA has proposed several initiatives to tackle this public health threat — ‘Jaroorat Bhi Hai Kya’, ‘3As — Avoid Antibiotic Abuse campaign’, ‘Use Wisely Not Widely’ and ‘Think Before you Ink’, added Dr. Aggarwal.
The IMA noted that the WHO had warned about a “a post-antibiotic era” — in which common infections and minor injuries will kill — is far from being an apocalyptic fantasy and is, instead, a very real possibility for the 21st century”. Doctors and patients should be aware of and advocate only judicious use of antibiotics. Over-prescription and self-prescription both need to be checked, it added.
