Kathmandu, November 17

Microbiologists have advised people against haphazard use of antibiotics.

As World Antibiotic Awareness Week is being observed from November 13 to 19 with the theme ‘Seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before taking antibiotics’, health experts have stressed on raising awareness to minimise the use of antibiotics.

“Some of the antibiotics used to cure urinary tract infection and typhoid have already started becoming ineffective,” said Jyoti Acharya, co-chief, Medical Technologist, Microbiologist, National Public Health Laboratory.

“The first line drugs such as azithromycin — antibiotic useful for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections — is becoming ineffective. If the same situation continues, treatment won’t be possible,” warned Acharya. “When bacteria become multi-drug resistant, it becomes difficult to treat diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. The antibiotics we are using won’t kill our infections but make bacteria more active,” said Sameer Mani Dixit, programme director at Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership, Nepal.

Antibiotic resistant infections can lead to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and more deaths. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, common infections will no longer be treatable.

The technicians working in the field advised people not to use antibiotics for treatment of common cold and a prevent infections and properly dispose waste materials.

The medical practitioners also should prescribe antibiotics only when necessary and only after conducting tests. They have also suggested to people to take advice from a qualified healthcare professional before taking antibiotics.

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