The selection of this topic is based on its threat to global health, food security, and development in contemporary society. A person of any age in any country can be a victim of antibiotic resistance. Usually, this problem occurs naturally. However, the misuse of the drugs in human beings, as well as animals have, can use cause a problem. It is essential to understand this topic and concepts related to it. Currently, most infections such as pneumonia, salmonellosis, gonorrhea, and tuberculosis have become difficult to treat since the antibiotics that would treat them are now less effective (Bonomo & Watkins, 2016). This challenge has a significant effect on people’s health and has increased health care costs. It now takes people a long time to heal after bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance also increases medical costs as well as increased mortality rates. Some of the bacteria become resistant to any medication, and hence the diseases progress leading to the death of the patient. For these reasons, it is essential to understand what antibiotic resistance is, its impact and find ways of dealing with the problem.
Antibiotics are drugs that doctors prescribe for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. Jethwa (2016) defines antibiotic resistance is a condition whereby the bacteria change their response to the medications. In other words, the performance of the drugs reduces. The bacteria become resistant to the drugs hence making it difficult to treat diseases they cause.
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Some bacteria are having a natural resistance to some antibiotics. However, some become resistant through genetic modification and others by getting the resistance traits from another bacterium (Mitsuhashi, Rosival & Krcmery, 2014). Genetic mutation entails the rapid change in the genetic material of the bacteria. Various mutations cause different types of resistance. Some mutations led to the production of chemicals that inactivate the antibiotics. Others mutations eliminate the cells that antibiotics target. Other mutations also cover the entry ports through which the antibiotics enter the cells while others produce mechanisms that block the antibiotics, so it does not get to the target cells.
Bacteria can also acquire resistance from another bacterium in different ways. The most common approach is a mating process that is referred to as conjugation. According to Mitsuhashi et al. (2014), this process leads to the transfer of genetic material which includes antibiotic resistance genes. Bacteria also pass resistance to others through viruses. The bacterium has the resistance traits in the head of the virus and transfers them to any new bacteria that the virus attacks. Bacteria can spontaneously acquire resistance traits either through mutation or from other bacteria. This fact makes them resistant to various families of antibiotics.
People should be interested in this topic to understand the scope, effects, and prevention of antibiotic resistance. It is essential for people to understand why they take antibiotics and they are not effective in treating some medical conditions. The public also needs to understand that genetic mutation takes place especially when they take some drugs regularly. Antibiotics should only be taken when and as prescribed by a physician. Regular use of these drugs leads to genetic modification of the bacteria as a way of adapting to the environment and ensure survival (Bonomo & Watkins, 2016). As a result, the bacteria become resistant, and that is the time people start complaining that drugs are not effective in treating some conditions. Antibiotic resistance is a condition that has led to an increase in medical costs, long periods of sickness and can cause death. When the bacteria become resistant, it takes too long for a person to heal. It also requires that the patient get other treatment options apart from antibiotics which would be expensive. In severe cases, the bacteria fail to respond to any medication, and this leads to the death of the patient.
Antibiotic resistance is dangerous, and it is essential for the public to know how they can prevent or reduce it. First, people should not use these drugs to treat viral infections like common colds, running nose and sore throat among others (Jethwa, 2016). Secondly, the drugs should only be used when and how a doctor prescribes them. Lastly, it is advisable to take the drugs to the last dose even if the patient feels better after taking a small dose. Any remaining drugs should be discarded as opposed to storing them for future use. Healthcare providers also advise people to prevent bacterial infections by simple actions such as washing hands regularly, preparing food hygienically and practicing safe sex among others.
In the future, there is a need to prevent and reduce antibiotic resistance. In the past, various studies focused on understanding this problem. Currently, investigations aim to establish the effects of this challenge. Going forward, thorough research is recommended to determine ways of reducing the effects of antibiotic resistance. The studies should focus on reducing the number of bacterial infections as well as reducing or preventing antibiotic resistance. Also, future studies should find out cost-effective treatment options for people with antibacterial resistance. The research will be necessary for reducing the effects associated with this condition.
References
Bonomo, R., & Watkins, R. (2016). Antibiotic Resistance . Saintt Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Jethwa, S. (2016). Confronting the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Prescriber , 27 (2), 50-51. doi: 10.1002/psb.1438
Mitsuhashi, S., Rosival, L., & Krcmery, V. (2014). Drug-Inactivating Enzymes and Antibiotic Resistance . Berlin: Springer Berlin.
