Recently, the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has re-emerged on a global scale. Thankfully, it is not the result of a mass pandemic, but the result of the United Nations issuing a statement that “Antimicrobial resistance poses a fundamental threat to human health, development, and security…” The statements underlies what scientists and medical professionals have been saying for years; that AMR is a serious threat facing the entire world. Since humans first used antimicrobials to treat disease, microorganisms have been forming a resistance to them. The dangers these resistances pose to humanity should be of paramount concern, and actions must be taken as a global effort to prevent or slow the development of antimicrobial resistance.
To understand the process that causes AMR, one must first understand what antimicrobial drugs are, and how they work. Antimicrobials target microorganisms; most commonly bacteria, parasites, some types of fungi, and viruses . While similar in that respect, most drugs used are specialized for a certain type of infection and cannot be used to treat another. For example, an antibiotic is used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria in an infection, but would not be effective in a virus-born infection. This focus will remain predominantly on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, …show more content…
The biggest cause for the rapid growth of AMR seen in recent years is the overuse and over-prescription of anti-microbial drugs. A majority of anti-microbial drugs in the US are prescribed incorrectly, and the dosing system is often negatively impacted patient error . Anti-microbial agents are now common household items, with cleaning sprays, hand soaps, and cleaning wipes, all containing them . However, just like the repeated use of the same drugs, this can cause resistant microbes to develop as
To understand the process that causes AMR, one must first understand what antimicrobial drugs are, and how they work. Antimicrobials target microorganisms; most commonly bacteria, parasites, some types of fungi, and viruses . While similar in that respect, most drugs used are specialized for a certain type of infection and cannot be used to treat another. For example, an antibiotic is used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria in an infection, but would not be effective in a virus-born infection. This focus will remain predominantly on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, …show more content…
The biggest cause for the rapid growth of AMR seen in recent years is the overuse and over-prescription of anti-microbial drugs. A majority of anti-microbial drugs in the US are prescribed incorrectly, and the dosing system is often negatively impacted patient error . Anti-microbial agents are now common household items, with cleaning sprays, hand soaps, and cleaning wipes, all containing them . However, just like the repeated use of the same drugs, this can cause resistant microbes to develop as