AIIMS warned Against Excessive Use of Hand-Sanitizers
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said, increased usage of antibiotics during Covid-19 can lead to more antimicrobial resistance. Experts further said, the widespread use of hand sanitisers and antimicrobial soaps which has especially increased multifold during the Covid-19 pandemic can worsen the situation.
What is antimicrobial resistance?
"Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”. This is a major concern because a resistant infection may kill, can spread to others, and imposes huge costs to individuals and society.
Antimicrobial resistance is the broader term for resistance in different types of microorganisms and encompasses resistance to antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal drugs.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally but is facilitated by the inappropriate use of medicines, for example using antibiotics for viral infections such as cold or flu, or sharing antibiotics. Low-quality medicines, wrong prescriptions and poor infection prevention and control also encourage the development and spread of drug resistance. Lack of government commitment to address these issues, poor surveillance and a diminishing arsenal of tools to diagnose, treat and prevent also hinder the control of antimicrobial drug resistance".
It has been estimated that by 2050, about 10 million human lives could be at risk every year if drug resistance is not managed.
The health experts added that there is an urgent need to explore the alternative therapies. “The importance of these non-conventional and alternative therapeutic approaches like bacteriophages, endolysins, nanoparticles, probiotics and antimicrobial peptides are needed.
The webinar was inaugurated by the Guest of Honour and AIIMS Director
Randeep Guleria, and Chief Guest Dr Sujeet Kumar Singh, Director of
National Centre for Disease Control. It also covered a vast range of
topics from esteemed speakers from Centre for Disease Control, World
Health Organisation, Indian Council of Medical Research, PGIMER
Chandigarh, and IIT Roorkee.
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