WHO warns of growing antibiotic resistance; understand the reasons and risks

According to the World Health Organization, one in six bacterial infections are resistant to treatment with specialized drugs.

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about rising antibiotic resistance. According to a new report, which analyzed the global scenario between 2018 and 2023, one in six bacterial infections did not respond to treatments.

Antibiotic resistance is growing

The WHO document also found that, during this period, tolerance to the monitored drugs increased by more than 40%, with an average annual growth of between 5% and 15%. According to the organization, the highest levels of resistance were observed in southern areas Asia and the Middle East. In these regions, one in three reported infections proved immune to interventions.

Also worrying are the data coming from the African continent, where one in five bacteria has managed to resist. “Antimicrobial resistance is advancing faster than modern medical advances, posing a threat to the health of families around the world,” declared Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusgeneral manager of WHO, in a statement.

The organization’s experts, however, warn that the phenomenon is more frequent in places where health systems have limited capacity to diagnose or treat pathogenic bacteria. This results in increased tolerance to treatments and, consequently, complications such as sepsis, organ failure or even death.

Reasons and risks

The WHO estimates that antibiotic resistance causes more than 1 million deaths per year. This risk, as the Health Agency points out, increases due to genetic changes, which are part of the natural process. Furthermore, harmful habits, such as drug abuse and overuse, also influence this process. Using it without a prescription then strengthens the bacteria, reducing the effectiveness of the medicine.

Resistance, therefore, increases treatment costs, prolongs patient stays in hospitals and contributes to increased mortality. “We must use antibiotics responsibly and ensure that all people have access to quality-assured medicines, diagnostics and vaccines. Our future also depends on strengthening health systems to prevent, diagnose and treat infections. Innovation in next-generation antibiotics and the implementation of rapid point-of-care molecular testing are still needed.” Ghebreyesus underlined.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.