What Are the Long-Term Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when illness-causing pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites adapt to overcome the medications designed to kill them. AMR makes many medical treatments ineffective, leading to incurable infections that spread easily from person to person.

AMR undermines established medical procedures because doctors can't rely on the usual methods for treating or warding off infections. This can increase healthcare costs and put a strain on staff as they spend more and more time on untreatable patients.

Here is a closer look at antimicrobial resistance and how the healthcare industry is working to deal with it.

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance

Understanding how bacteria become resistant to medications like antibiotics can help combat AMR. Bacteria develop resistance by going through genetic mutations, which can occur when people use antibiotics incorrectly. If patients use their medications in insufficient doses or do not take them for long enough, they may not kill all the bacteria. The bacteria that survive pass on the traits that led to their survival to others, giving them the strength to resist antibiotic treatments.

Recent statistics reveal the alarming prevalence of AMR worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.27 million people died of drug-resistant bacterial infections in 2019. Such infections affect all regions globally, making AMR a global health crisis.

Common pathogens known for resistance include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (staph infection), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. TB). AMR can also complicate treatment for common conditions like pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs) that usually respond to standard antibiotics.

Public Health Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance

AMR renders many current antibiotics ineffective. Doctors can't rely on formerly reliable medication, meaning that common infections could become life-threatening. AMR could also complicate routine medical procedures because doctors cannot ward off AMR infections with antibiotics.

Examples of common infections that are now hard to treat include gonorrhea, which is increasingly resistant to the last line of antibiotics available. Tuberculosis also poses a significant challenge, with multidrug-resistant strains making treatment very complex.

AMR has an oversized impact on at-risk groups, including:

• Individuals with autoimmune diseases are more susceptible to infections.
• Cancer patients have weakened immune systems and are prone to illnesses. The risk can be high for certain illnesses, such as male breast cancer or blood cancers.
• Elderly people generally have a higher risk of infections and associated complications.
• Diabetics can develop a range of health complications and infections;
• Hospitalized patients, particularly those in intensive care units, are at a higher risk for infections due to wounds or ongoing treatments.

AMR can be deadly for individual patients, but it can also impact the healthcare system as a whole.

Increased Healthcare Costs

According to the CDC, AMR places a financial burden on the healthcare system. Treating resistant infections often requires more expensive therapies and longer hospital stays. In addition to upfront costs, it diverts staff and resources from other areas.

Statistics highlight the increased treatment costs and strain on hospitals associated with AMR. Patients with any of the six most common resistant infections account for $4.6 billion in healthcare spending annually, according to the CDC.

The indirect costs of AMR also weigh heavily on society. Loss of productivity due to prolonged illness can affect businesses and individuals and increase health insurance premiums for all customers.

Threat to Surgical and Medical Procedures

Antimicrobial resistance increases the risks associated with surgeries, such as joint replacements and organ transplants. Doctors give patients antibiotics to ward off infections at the surgical site.

However, AMR makes the risk higher for all invasive treatments, including treatments for cancers like leukemia. Drug resistance means patients have a higher risk of developing illnesses that complicate recovery.

Socioeconomic Impacts of Antimicrobial Resistance

The societal and economic implications of AMR go beyond healthcare costs. For instance, workers with resistant illnesses have to take more time to recover. This leads to lost wages, employment shortages at companies, and less financial support for dependants. The impact can be worse in areas where people are already struggling economically and may not be able to afford to miss work or pay for the intensive care necessary for recovery from AMR illnesses.

The economic and social factors related to AMR make it even more important to develop mitigation plans. Governments can invest in research, planning, and antibiotic stewardship programs to manage the impact of drug-resistant illnesses.

Impact on Agriculture and Food Industry

Farmers often use antibiotics to protect livestock investments, but the widespread use can cause problems. First, it causes AMR to develop in animals, reducing immunity and hampering growth rates. In the long term, this can lead to more expensive, lower-quality meats as farmers deal with the impact of AMR on their animals.

Second, humans get trace amounts of antibiotics when consuming these meats, which also gives bacteria a chance to mutate. Without proper preparation, the bacteria itself could also get into your system, causing an illness.

The management of antibiotics in livestock farming can help limit the impact agriculture has on the development of resistant bacteria.

Global Inequality and AMR

For the human population, the issue is often the inability to get effective medications.

The lack of a medication distribution system or poor healthcare facilities can make treatment difficult. According to the WHO, many people in underserved or impoverished areas cannot afford or obtain medicines at all, and those who can often have to rely on cheaper, outdated, or less effective options.

If these drugs are unable to kill all the bacteria causing the infection, they could increase AMR by allowing the surviving bacteria to mutate.

Strategies to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

Current strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance focus on several areas. Rules limiting the use of antibiotics in medical care and agriculture can lower the chances of bacteria mutations. Researchers can come up with alternatives that provide the same benefits and allow doctors to reserve antibiotics for the most serious cases.

Global cooperation is also essential in combating AMR. Resistant bacteria can spread worldwide, with carriers bringing them to new countries without being detected. Countries can share data, resources, and practices for surveillance, research, and response. Initiatives like the Global Action Plan on AMR are examples of these efforts in action.

With a comprehensive approach, countries can lower the impact of AMR on health care, the economy, and society.

Public Awareness and Education

Educating the public about AMR is crucial in combating this global health threat. Reporting from high-quality news sources can help you understand the importance of using antibiotics responsibly. Responsible use involves taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed and finishing the entire course of the medication. This ensures the drug kills all the bacteria, limiting the chance of mutation.

Also, healthcare professionals and patients alike can stay informed about outbreaks, research, and new treatments. An educated public understands the facts about AMR, allowing them to advocate for changes, such as rules on antibiotic stewardship.

It’s important to understand AMR because it affects public health on a global scale, and it can also impact your personal health and medical decisions. With the right sources and research, you can stay up to date on the latest developments related to drug resistance.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.