Antibiotics Stopped Working after Covid, More than 30 Lakh Children Died: According to a new study, more than 3 million children worldwide died in 2022 due to infections associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 7.52 lakh children died in Southeast Asia and 6.59 lakh children in Africa.
These children had normal infections, but antibiotics did not work, causing such a large number of deaths.
What is AMR and why dangerous for children?
Antimicial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, or other microbes become resistant against drugs. That is, medicines do not kill them. This is especially dangerous for children, as their immune system is weak.
According to WHO, if the AMR is not stopped, by 2050, 1 crore people can die every year, most of which will be children.
Young children have common diseases like cold, diarrhea, or ear infection. If the normal antibiotics do not work, the treatment becomes difficult.
Strong medicines have to be given, which can damage the body of children. In newborns, AMR can cause fatal conditions like sepsis, which has to be hospitalized. This increases the economic and emotional burden on the family.
Because of amr
Taking antibiotics without doctor’s advice.
Do not complete the course of medicine.
Use of more antibiotic in animals.
Dirty water and poor hygiene.
Wrong diagnosis and giving more medicines.
Covid made and dangerous!
The AMR cases have increased rapidly after the Kovid epidemic. In the last three years, the infections associated with AMR increased by 10 times in children. New antibiotics are less available for children, as their development is delayed. According to the study, out of the death of 3 million children in 2022, 20 lakh deaths were related to the use of the watch (high resistance -risk) and reserve (last -measure) antibiotics. Watch antibiotics in Southeast Asia between 2019-2021 rose 160% and 126% in Africa. Reserve antibiotic uses 45% in Southeast Asia and 125% in Africa.
Why is Amr growing?
AMR is spreading rapidly due to congested hospitals, poor hygiene, and weak infection control in lower and medium -income countries. Watch and reserve antibiotics are more useful than normal antibiotic (access), which can make the treatment more difficult in future.
What do we do now?
Do not take antibiotics without doctor’s advice.
Take a full course of medicine.
Take care of cleanliness, such as clean water and good sanitation.
Need for better infection control and monitoring in hospitals.
Children will have to work on developing new antibiotic.
