Microorganisms (bacteria) have survived thousands of years dodging antimicrobial agents by undergoing spontaneous mutation or by DNA transfer. These processes enable some bacteria to develop resistance against antibiotic drugs, over a period of time, ultimately rendering them ineffective.

Misuse or overuse of antibiotic drugs against relatively harmless bacterial infection have even resulted in the creation of multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria, known as ‘super bugs’ that may cause life threatening infections.

Widespread and unnecessary use of antibiotic medicines plays a major role in the appearance of antibiotic resistant bacterium. Rampant use of antibiotics in agriculture and food animal firming (e.g. pigs, chickens and cattle) have lead to the spread of antibiotic resistance to human population through food ingression, close or direct contact with the animals and through environment. In 2001 it was estimated by Union of Concerned scientists that over 70% of total antibiotics used in USA are given to food animals.

In humans, inappropriate and wild prescribing of antibiotics is taking toll in the form of antibiotic resistance. Already a number of antibiotics like Ampicilin, Kanamycin, Tetracycline and chloramphenicol have developed considerable human resistance and are largely out of prescription. Although causes of antibiotic resistance development in humans are well known in medical science, the reason for such high volume of antibiotic prescription by physicians is attributed to the following reasons:-

a) Some 33% of people believe that antibiotic is the best medicine for even common cold and they insists on antibiotics.

b) Physicians prescribe antibiotics as they do not have the time and patience to convince the patient that they are not necessary in his case.

c) Physicians are themselves unsure when to prescribe antibiotics.

d) Physicians are overly cautious to the medico-legal implications.

Till recently, research and development of Pharmaceuticals have provided newer antibiotics to counter bacteria that have gone resistant to older versions. But the scenario is fast changing. The industry R&D is withdrawing from antibiotic research. This coupled with increasing emergence and prevalence of resistant bacteria is alarming the physicians of a situation where seriously ill patients may not get effective antibiotics in not so distant future.

Apart from development of antibiotic resistance, the antibiotic abuse by physicians and people alike put the patient at risk of adverse effect of antibiotics. Therefore, steps should be taken to restrict the development of antibiotic resistance. The following points may be useful.

• Use of antibiotics should be restricted to the treatment of bacterial infections only

• Prior to prescribing antibiotic, the causative bacterium be identified

• Use first line antibiotic and avoid broad-spectrum.

• Use full course prescribed. Stopping midway as because you feel better may cause bacterial resistance for the drug in future

• Do not use antibiotics for viral attacks like colds, coughs, bronchitis, sinus and eye infections. Antibiotics are ineffective for the treatment of viral diseases. These viral infections are self-healing and wither away in a few days.

• Above all, do not pressurize your physician for prescribing antibiotics.