I’ve been coughing for 2 days, Pls give me Septrin”
“Pls I want Ampiclox Beecham. I have stomach pain”
“My child has been running fever, Pls give me Zinnat”
“Pls I want flagyl and tetracycline, my stomach is paining me”
“I want to buy Ciprotab, I always use it when my body is doing me one kain”
“Do you have Amoxil? I want to wash my blood”
“I want to buy Ampiclox Beecham, I just had sex now and I want to wash my bom-bom”
Septrin, Amoxil, Ampiclox, tetracycline, Ciprotab, Zinnat, metronidazole (flagyl), erythromycin and many more are all examples of antibiotics. But what happens when we use antibiotics indiscriminately?
1)Using antibiotics when not needed
2)Not completing your prescribed dose of antibiotics.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE occurs.
Antibiotics can kill certain kinds of
microorganisms. Over time, those microorganisms often develop resistance to the anitibiotics when they are used indiscriminately, the bacteria that needs to be destroyed will just “re-adjust”.
Let’s play out a senerio where the bacteria (Let’s call him Rufus) is saying to the antibiotic, “Ah, so this is method you use to kill me abi?”
Then the Mr Rufus begins to change shape and form, begins to modify his structure. Now when such antibiotic is used for that person again, it just wouldn’t work.
These new resistant Mr Rufus then begins to spread (surfaces, sexually, air, water etc). And so we have a bacteria which is resistant to that antibiotic.
You may say “Ehen, this one no concern me na”
But one day, you may touch a surface where that particular resistant Mr Rufus thrives without knowing. And you pass it to your friend, children, spouse, cleaner, driver etc.
The doctor begins to run up and down looking for an antibiotic, your bacteria (Mr Rufus) is not resistant to. Remember, this all happened because Sis Chioma used Ampiclox and didn’t finish it.
Antibiotic resistance spreads very quickly, faster than expected. As long as new drugs keep coming, resistance is not a problem.
But there has not been a new class of antibiotics discovered since the 1980s. So in other words, no new antibiotic has been discovered since 37 years ago. Antibiotics are one of the most important if not the most important class of drugs known to man.
If we have no antibiotics again to treat our infections (no matter how slight they might be) Trillions of people will die.
And this could start from YOU!
YOU could be the reason why we have a bacteria resistant to Ampiclox.
YOU could be the reason Ciprofloxacin no longer works for thyphoid infections.
YOU could be the reason your neighbour’s child died from sepsis because she was resistant to every antibiotic available.
YOU could be the reason why a slight respiratory tract infection killed your brother.
*IT ALL BEGINS WITH YOU*
*NEVER SELF-MEDICATE ON AN ANTIBIOTIC*
In some western countries, pharmacists don’t dispense antibiotics without a properly written prescription from a doctor. In some cases, the doctor or pharmacist will request for a test. This is not always the case in Nigeria.
Also, if you are prescribed an antibiotic,
PLEASE COMPLETE THE PRESCRIBED DOSE.
Some antibiotics should be used for a minimum of 7days. But you will start noticing relief after about 3days. This doesn’t mean you should stop using the antibiotic.
If you notice anything unusual (itching, skin rashes, swollen lips, swollen eyes etc) Please stop taking it immediately and report to your doctor or pharmacist.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 2 million people become infected with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the US every year. Around 23,000 people die as a result.
It is also thought that more antibiotics are used in animal agriculture than for human diseases. The use of antibiotics in farm animals can promote drug resistance, and drug-resistant bacteria may be found on meat and in food crops exposed to fertilizer or water that is contaminated with animal feces, providing a route for animal to human transmission.
In addition to this,
Do not share your antibiotics or use drugs left over from other prescriptions. They may not be suitable for different forms of infection.
Do not pressurize doctors into prescribing antibiotics because you feel you really need it. If pressured, they may prescribe an unsuitable drug.
Prevent the spread of bacteria with good hygiene, including washing hands thoroughly and ensuring that food preparation areas are clean.
Get recommended vaccinations as this will reduce the risk of needing to take medication in the future.
Author: Okolie Chinyere is a young and passionate individual with a drive to educate the populace about healthy living and illness prevention. She is a seasoned pharmacist and an avid lover of Asa’s music.
If you have further questions for the author of this article, pls contact her at okoliechinyere@rocketmail.com
NB: some parts of this post were written in pidgin English.
HEALTHAFFORD 