Drug resistance is the resistance of germs and parasites to drugs. Research shows that drug resistance increases quite quickly and may lead to a situation in which even a minor infection may pose a lethal threat to humans. Find out what the causes of drug resistance are.

Drug resistancedenotes the resistance of pathogens and parasites to a drug, ie they can live and reproduce in the presence of a drug that normally destroys them or inhibits reproduction. There are two types of drug resistance:

  • innate - inherent in microbes
  • acquired - is the result of contact with the drug. Germs or parasites begin to defend themselves against the drug by altering their DNA. Then they become resistant to the effects of the drug. Additionally, they have the ability to transmit drug resistance to other pathogens. This often happens in hospitals where numerous strains of microbes are life-threatening and, at the same time, insensitive to most drugs
Worth knowing

Drug resistance can also apply to epilepsy, depression and cancer

Not only germs and parasites, but also cancer cells, which develop defense mechanisms against various chemotherapeutic agents, may be resistant to drugs. Also, in people suffering from depression, the medications used may not show the expected effect. Resistance can also be found in anti-epileptic drugs.

Drug resistance - causes

The cause of drug resistance is incorrect use of drugs, e.g. the dose of the drug is too low or it is taken irregularly. Patients do not stick to the dosing schedule, taking longer breaks. The remaining pills retain and heal with them (and often also with relatives) as soon as they consider it to be used.

As a result of drug abuse, germs can develop resistance to them.

As a consequence, there is a rapid spread of drug-resistant pathogens, including strains resistant to many drugs, including strains insensitive to any of the available preparations.

Drug resistance most often applies to antibiotics that can fight bacteria (including protozoa and fungi). It is caused by unjustified prescription of an antibiotic, overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, too low ortoo high doses of antibiotics, too short or too long duration of antibiotic therapy or antibiotic therapy not in accordance with the antibiotic schedule.

Added to this is the widespread use of antibacterial preparations in veterinary medicine, farming, agriculture, and the chemical industry

Drug resistance - effects

Drug resistance reduces the effectiveness of treatment, which means that patients stay ill for longer, and thus the patient's body can select pathogens that are not susceptible to treatment, which can transfer their drug resistance to other microorganisms. In addition, the risk of human-to-human transmission of resistant microbes increases. If an infection with drug-resistant microbes occurs, and the body cannot cope on its own, the patient may die.

Worth knowing

Drug resistance - how to prevent?

  • take only medications prescribed by your doctor
  • follow the doctor's recommendations - do not stop the treatment even if you feel better
  • use basic hygiene measures to stop the spread of germs

Patients try to force doctors to prescribe them antibiotics. Improper use may lead to drug resistance

Source: lifestyle.newseria.pl

Category:

Infectious diseases