Briefly describe what antimicrobial resistance is and the potential impact of antimicrobial resistance on society.
Question
Briefly describe what antimicrobial resistance is and the potential impact of antimicrobial resistance on society.
Solution
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.
The process of antimicrobial resistance happens naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. However, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is accelerating this process. A growing number of infections – such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and gonorrhoea – are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective.
The potential impact of antimicrobial resistance on society is significant. It threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi. It is an increasingly serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society.
Without effective antibiotics, the success of major surgery and cancer chemotherapy would be compromised. The cost of healthcare for patients with resistant infections is higher than care for patients with non-resistant infections due to longer duration of illness, additional tests and use of more expensive drugs.
Globally, 700,000 deaths are attributable to antimicrobial resistance each year. If not addressed, it is estimated that antimicrobial resistance will cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 and will cost the global economy $100 trillion.
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