What and why does antibiotic resistance occur? 83% of Indians have it, and why is it a major threat in the future?
Nowadays, many people are rapidly increasing their use of medications for both minor and major ailments. A new study has revealed that a significant number of patients in India are infected with bacteria that are ineffective against common antibiotics. Let's explore the reasons behind this growing threat and why.
Antibiotic resistance is a condition in which bacteria in the body become ineffective against medicines. Antibiotics generally kill infection-causing germs, but when these drugs become ineffective, treatment becomes difficult.
A recent report published in The Lancet-eClinical Medicine states that India is emerging as an epicenter of antibiotic resistance. According to the study, 83 percent of Indian patients were found to have bacteria that do not respond to multiple antibiotics. Let's find out.
Dr. Subhash Giri, of the Department of Medicine at RML Hospital, explains that the biggest reason behind the rise in antibiotic resistance is the misuse and excessive use of medications.
People start taking antibiotics without consulting a doctor, even for minor infections like colds and coughs. Often, the full course of medication is not completed, causing bacteria to adapt to the drugs and undergo changes.
Excessive antibiotic use in animal husbandry and agriculture also contributes to this problem. Furthermore, choosing the wrong antibiotic, self-administration, counterfeit or poor-quality drugs, and poor infection control systems in hospitals also strengthen bacteria. All these factors are creating superbugs—extremely powerful bacteria that are ineffective against common antibiotics.
Why are antibiotics not working? What do studies say?
A Lancet study reveals a rapid increase in bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics in India. The report stated that 83% of Indian patients were found to have multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs).
More than 70% of these cases contained ESBL-producing bacteria, which are resistant to commonly used medications. Meanwhile, 23% of patients were found to have bacteria that resist even the most potent antibiotics.
In India, the rampant use of antibiotics, the easy availability of over-the-counter medications, incorrect prescriptions, and poor infection control are exacerbating this situation.
Studies show that this problem is no longer confined to hospitals, but has also spread to the general public, water, food, and the environment around us. This is why India is at the epicenter of this global threat.
Why is there a big danger in the future?
If antibiotic resistance continues to grow at this pace, even simple infections could become life-threatening. Drugs becoming ineffective will make treatment longer, more expensive, and more difficult. Developing new antibiotics is extremely difficult, making this a major health crisis in the future.