Antibiotic resistance

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Antibiotic resistance is a hot topic at present and is one that is very relevant to sustainable practice.

Antibiotics need to be preserved for when they are really needed.  If we don't do this, we risk epidemic bacterial diseases, with nothing to fight them with. The impacts of this on our society and economy are huge. 

Many of us are already aware that all medical and veterinary professionals are being encouraged to prevent antibiotic overuse.  It is believed that the exponential growth of antibiotic resistant bugs is due to the overexposure of people and animals to antibiotics. This overexposure could develop from situations such as being prescribed antibiotics when they are not required. Exposure to antibiotic residues in food and water are also a serious concern as is only taking half the dose or not finishing the course prescribed. 

Things you should know

1. Antibiotics are not suitable for treating viruses so if you or your pet have a cold or flu virus (with no secondary bacterial infection), then supportive treatment like heeping well hydrated, resting and taking anti inflammatory medications are all that will be required. 
2. Most elective surgeries are sterile and can be completed without risk of secondary bacterial contamination - therefore routine use for every surgery should be reviewed by the the professional in charge.
3. In many cases antibiotics are prescribed by veterinary and medical professionals without real  evidence that they are required, or they may be used prophylactically in a situation that does not necessarily justify this practice.

Questions to ask yourself?

• Have you ever insisted on antibiotics for yourself or your animal from the medical or veterinary professional and they have given in to your request?
• Have you ever been given antibiotics and not finished the course?
• Are routine antibiotics (such as post routine surgery) given in the veterinary practice you work in?

If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you may have seen a situation that had the potential to lead to an increase in antibiotic resistance. 

Consider doing the following:

• Ask your medical professional  - why to I need antibiotics?  
• If you are prescribed antibiotics, take the whole course as prescribed
• As an animal owner, ask your veterinary professional - why does my pet need antibiotics? 
• If your pet has been prescribed antibiotics, give the whole course as prescribed.

In a veterinary clinic you might be working in, prescribing medications is the veterinarian's responsibility, but you may be able to open a dialogue to discuss antibiotic use. For example, you can consider surgical asepsis of the environment, staff and patient and suggest to your practice owners that it would be prudent to review routine antibiotic use. Come with evidence about how it would improve finances and safety for people and animals.

In a farm situation it is much the same - its the veterinarians decision to prescribe medications, but as a tech or animal owner, you might see antibiotics being used and wonder why, or if they are actually needed.  Talk to the veterinarian in charge and get them to explain it to you. 

Antibiotics do play an important role in our healthcare, after all, it was the invention of antibiotics that stopped many epidemic diseases in their tracks like smallpox and cholera.  However, there are serious risks with their use in terms of our future ability to fight disease and with virtually no new antibiotics being discovered, we are at risk of developing resistance to the ones we currently use and if those are no longer effective, our future health is at risk.

If you want more, Read about antibiotic resistance here