ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OF ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics are known to be antimicrobial drugs that fight disease caused by bacteria both in human and animals. The antibiotics work by either killing the bacteria or inhibiting their growth or multiplication. According to wandering planet, there are at least 2 million people who are infected as a result of the drug-resistant superbugs (Planet, 2016). This has been a global concern that has made many stakeholders come together in order to change the used of the antibiotics as well as come up with different antibiotics that the bacteria will not be resistant to. Antibiotic resistant has been brought about by many factors such as abuse by the patients that do not complete the prescribed dosage as they stop taking them when they feel better and keep the remaining amount for the next time when they are sick. Doctors have also increased more reliance on the antibiotics that make the patients prefer the same antibiotic from time to time resulting in resistance (Planet, 2016). Half of the total number of the antibiotics used in the United State is either inappropriate or unnecessary. This has led to more than 23,000 deaths of patients as the bacteria have become strong to be treated using the same conventional antibiotics.

The trends are worrying as there is the emergence of a new kind of generation superbugs that the current antibiotics cannot combat. Despite the worrying trends, major drugs companies have been reluctant to develop new antibiotics that will help in suppressing the multiplication of the bacteria and offer possible treatment to patients due to the portfolio management decisions (Planet, 2016). The use of antibacterial soap in the institution such as nursing homes and hospitals has been considered to helpful in controlling the multiplication of the bacteria (Planet, 2016). However, the continued use of the antibacterial agents has also promoted antibiotics resistance hence increased awareness of countermeasures that can address the issue.

There have been robust measures but in place by the government and different stakeholders in order to address the issue of bacteria resistance to the antibiotics. One of the greatest measures that will assist in the reducing the overreliance of the antibiotics and abuse is by policy implementation that will restrict the use of antibiotics (Laxminarayan et al, 2010). This implies that antibiotics should be the last resort. This process can be aided by the general preventive measures proper public hygiene and health. Alternative treatment such as vaccines has its own advantages but it is difficult to develop and at times it may fail despite the many years and the resources dedicated to it.

One of the important tools in reducing overreliance of antibiotics is using bacteriophages that are a naturally occurring virus that affects specific bacteria that have been considered to be resistance.  By developing these bacteria smaller molecule antibiotics can be administered rendering effectiveness compared to the large molecule administered resulting in resistance. More use of the phages to treat bacterial infections is a more beneficial way (Laxminarayan et al, 2010). Overreliance of the antibiotics results to abuse of antibiotics. When the doctors reduce antibiotics prescription patients will have a minimal change of abusing the antibiotics. As a result administering another form of medication the bacteria causing infection will be weaker as their resistance will be exploited by the other form of medication reducing the resistance levels leading to effective treatment (Laxminarayan et al, 2010). It is, therefore, important to administer antibiotics when it is necessary rather than they are convenient.

 

 

 

Reference

Laxminarayan, R., Malani, A., Howard, D., & Smith, D.,.(2010). Extending the Cure: Policy       Responses to the Growing Threat Of Antibiotics Resistance. Routledge

Planet, W. (2016). Hunting the nightmare bacteria. Retrieved from            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE4VzFz9PPo