World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022

The main goal of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is to enhance knowledge and comprehension of drug resistance.

Highlights:

To combat antimicrobial resistance, the World Health Organization (WHO) supports a global antimicrobial resistance action plan, which also serves as the impetus for World Antibiotic Awareness Week
To prevent the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, seeks to raise awareness of worldwide antibiotic resistance
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is being observed to promote best practices among the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in the use of antibiotics

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a condition in which bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and cease to be responsive to antibiotics. It makes infections more difficult to cure and raises the risk of disease transmission, life-threatening sickness, and death. Drug resistance makes it harder or impossible to treat illnesses and renders antibiotics and other antimicrobial medications useless. 1.27 million deaths were attributed to AMR in bacteria, according to research, in 2019 ().

WHO described the problem as “New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases. A growing list of infections- such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, gonorrhea, and foodborne diseases - are becoming harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat as antibiotics become less effective.”

At the 68th World Health Assembly in May 2015, a global action plan was approved to combat the escalating issue of antibiotic and other antimicrobial medication resistance. The main goal is to enhance knowledge and comprehension of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education, and training ().

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Antibiotic resistance refers to the adaption of bacteria that allows them to grow even in the presence of antibiotics. The infection by the resistant bacteria are difficult to treat.

‘Increasing awareness of antimicrobial resistance is the major objective of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.’
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Aim of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

The World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) campaign aims to raise AMR awareness and comprehension among the public, health stakeholders, and policymakers to prevent the introduction and spread of AMR.

‘Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together’ is the theme of WAAW this year. All healthcare sectors should support the responsible use of antibiotics and develop antimicrobial resistance prevention strategies by cooperating in a One Health framework ().

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Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

Threatened by antimicrobial resistance, people, animals, plants, and the environment are all at risk. Because of this, the theme for this year encourages cross-sector cooperation to maintain the efficacy of these vital medications. Fighting antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach since it is a global endeavor ().

To combat global antibiotic resistance, WHO established five aims, including improving awareness, stepping up monitoring and research, lowering infection rates, making the best use of antibiotics, and committing to ‘sustainable investment.’

To effectively combat antimicrobial resistance, all sectors must work together and promote preventive measures for the responsible use of antimicrobials. To lessen the need for antimicrobials and prevent the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, it is essential to strengthen infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities, farms, and food industry premises, ensure access to vaccines, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, implement best practices in food and agriculture production, and ensure the sound management of waste and wastewater from key sectors ().

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A novel approach identified can reduce the number of genes that resist antibiotics in children with probiotic supplementation, which is a safe and non-invasive method.

Importance of World Antibiotic Day

It serves as a reminder that we work together with our medical providers

While it's simple to believe that our doctors should be responsible for maintaining our health, the reality is that we are ultimately responsible for our own wellbeing. That entails being aware of the right times to seek medical attention so that we may go armed with the information, details, and inquiries needed to diagnose our condition and recommend the best course of action.

It Raises Awareness of a Global Health Problem

It is important that we educate ourselves on antimicrobial resistance. Ask your doctor why this antibiotic is appropriate for your specific ailment if this week just so happens to be the week you visit the doctor and receive a prescription for one. What outcomes are possible and how long will it take?

It Motivates us to Review the Fundamentals of Antibiotics

Many individuals are unaware that antibiotics only work against bacteria and cannot treat viruses. (This is why there is still no treatment for the virus-based common cold.) Therefore, if your doctor says you have a virus-type disease, resist the urge to ask for an antibiotic prescription because it could not be of any assistance to you. (There might be some exceptions; talk to your doctor about it.)

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Resistance to antibiotics may be reversed by developing chemicals to inhibit beta-lactamase enzymes, a new discovery claimed.

Observing World Antibiotic Awareness Week

Teach Children How to Avoid Bacterial Diseases

The best defense against antibiotic resistance is to avoid illnesses in the first place. The golden rule of cleanliness is to wash your hands often, clean and bandage any cuts or scrapes, and avoid contact with ill family members. Even if it seems common sense to keep your home clean and take steps when you prepare food properly, this week is a fantastic time to be reminded to be especially careful!()

Learn About Foods that Contain Antibiotic Properties

“Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food,” advised the Greek physician Hippocrates. Fruits and vegetables typically include high levels of vitamin C , a disease preventative that boosts your immune system and lowers infection rates. Allicin, a substance having antibacterial and antifungal qualities, is abundant in the Allium family of plants, which includes garlic, onions, shallots, and chives. Honey has been utilized as an antibacterial agent for more than 2000 years, particularly when coupled with cinnamon. To be safe, consult your physician, naturopath, or nutritionist before making any dietary changes.

Develop Your happiness

Did you realize that your whole health can be influenced by your mood? It is well accepted that people who are content are less likely to contract bacterial infections and other ailments. When they do become sick, they recover significantly more fast as well. So, this week, let’s all concentrate on doing activities that bring us joy, whether that means dancing around the house, belting out karaoke tunes, or simply going on a long walk to take in the fall foliage.

References:

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week - (https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week/2022)
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022 - (https://www.unep.org/events/unep-event/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week-2022)
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week - (https://www.woah.org/en/event/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week-2022/)

Source-Medindia