Silent Killer: Antimicrobial Resistance Puts Global Public Health at Risk

Since their discovery a century ago, antimicrobial drugs (from antibiotics to antivirals) have saved millions of lives every day... until they stop, as is happening now.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The WHO warns of 3.5 million deaths from preventable infections by 2050 due to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Antimicrobials—such as antiseptics and other pharmaceutical products—play a fundamental role in modern medicine. Even some natural products have antimicrobial properties. However, the overuse and misuse of these agents in humans, animals, and plants is creating a serious problem: antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. Can you imagine? Even the environment is being affected, since when these substances reach the soil or water, resistant microbes can emerge and challenge our treatments.

But what is AMR, and why should we care? Simply put, AMR happens when microbes develop the ability to resist the drugs meant to eliminate them. This means that common illnesses like urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, typhoid fever, or even the flu are becoming harder and harder to treat. And worst of all, this can lead to treatment failure, permanent disabilities, or even death.

A Global Health Threat

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the ten most serious public health threats worldwide, and it's undermining over a century of medical progress. Infections that used to be treatable and curable with medication are now becoming untreatable... or are at risk of becoming so.

Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is throwing away over 100 years of pharmaceutical efforts to save lives.

The impact of AMR is already alarming. According to recent data, bacterial resistance to antibiotics directly caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide. That number is terrifying! And if we include infections complicated by resistance, the number of lives affected climbs even higher. This shows that this isn’t a future problem—it’s already here and demands our immediate attention.

So how did we get here? The answer lies in the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. For instance, antibiotics are often prescribed when they’re not truly needed, or people don’t finish their prescribed course—allowing microbes to grow stronger instead of being wiped out. The use of antimicrobials in agriculture and livestock also plays a role, as drug residues end up in water and soil, encouraging the development of resistant strains.

Fighting Back Against AMR

According to a 2017 World Bank report, if we don’t take proper action now, AMR could lead to an additional $1.2 billion in annual healthcare costs by 2050 and push up to 24 million people into extreme poverty by 2030—especially in low-income countries.

unnecessary antibiotics
Experts emphasize that unnecessary use of antimicrobials can lead to bacterial resistance and cause side effects. They should only be prescribed by professionals, and self-medication should be avoided.

To tackle this challenge, we need to take concrete action. On one hand, it’s crucial to educate the public about the responsible use of antimicrobials; they’re not magic cures and shouldn’t be used for everything. On the other hand, health systems and food producers must implement strategies to reduce unnecessary use. And of course, scientific research must continue to find new solutions and alternatives.

In conclusion, AMR is a real threat that’s changing how we treat diseases. But all is not lost; with a responsible and collaborative approach, we can slow its progress. In the end, the key is to understand that every action counts—from how we use medications at home to global policies that regulate their use. Together, we can face this challenge and protect our future. What do you think?

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