A person holding a glass of water and a pill, preparing to take the medication

Antimicrobial resistance – the silent pandemic

Supplement the microbiome with good bacteria while taking antibiotics.

A scientist in a laboratory, examining a petri dish on his desk.

Antibiotics – a revolution in 20th century medicine

Antibiotics are essential medicines that help stop infections caused by bacteria and save lives by destroying or decreasing the growth of certain bacteria. The term antibiotic means «against life» and is used when we talk about medicine that kills germs. Different antibiotics are used to treat different infections and only a doctor can prescribe them.

Antibiotics have been in use for years for the treatment of specific serious infections or to prevent some types of bacterial infection. Nowadays, we are facing a different challenge: increasing antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial restistance. It has been accelerated by, among other things, the excessive consumption of antibiotics, repeated contact with certain antibiotics, improper intake, or the consumption of animals fed with antibiotics. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare, livestock and food production has created a real threat to humanity. The principle of «less is more» applies when it comes to antibiotics. 

 

 

How do Antibiotics work?

Antibiotics are extremely good at what they do. They start working straight after the first intake.

Antibiotics are «warriors» that prevent bacteria from multiplying (bacteriostatic) or kill them (bactericidal) by disrupting their metabolism. As viruses don’t have their own metabolism, antibiotics don’t work against them. Antibiotics helps the body to defend itself. The best-known antibiotic is penicillin, discovered by Alexander Flemming and produced by a mould called Penicillium notatum. How fast antibiotics take effect depends on the condition they are treating, but an improvement often occurs within hours.

3 × 3 smart rules for a course of antibiotics

 1) Leave it up to the doctor to decide if you need antibiotics.

  • Don't request antibiotics unnecessarily, for example to treat a viral infection.
  • If the doctor prescribes antibiotics, use them properly.
  • Never start a course of antibiotics without medical supervision.

2) Let your doctor decide what kind of antibiotic you need and for how long.

  • Never use antibiotics left over from a previous illness.
  • Don't take antibiotics prescribed for someone else or share your prescription with others.
  • Don’t stop taking the antibiotic before the doctor has prescribed it and do not take it for longer than prescribed by the doctor.

3) Leave it up to your doctor to decide which probiotic can counteract the side effects of the antibiotic.

  • Only the doctor knows which probiotic works with which antibiotic.
  • Taking a probiotic without expertise can be like taking nothing at all.
  • The right choice of probiotic can also help fight antibiotic resistance.
A smiling doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope, sitting and talking to a patient.

Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which includes antibiotic resistance, is increasing and threatens the effective treatment and prevention of a wide range of infections. Today, AMR is one of the world’s top health dangers.  

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites may be basically resistant to antibiotics (natural resistance) or they change over time or alter by mutation (acquired resistance), and it happens that they no longer respond to medicines. In this case, we speak of AMR. Unfortunately, the resistant bacteria can overgrow and also pass on their resistance properties to other bacteria. As a result, antibiotics become ineffective, and infections persist in the body which can be life threatening and increases the risk of spread to others. Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes called «superbugs» as they are almost indestructible. By following the above-mentioned rules, you can contribute to decrease your own risk of AMR.

Antybiotyki dla dzieci

Antybiotyki dla dzieci

Czasami, gdy dziecko jest chore, antybiotyki są jedyną opcją. Ale nie są rozwiązaniem uniwersalnym i mogą mieć wpływ na zdrowie układu trawiennego, jeśli nie są przyjmowane świadomie.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics

While they can do a lot of good, antibiotics can affect the digestive system. For this reason, it’s important to give the gut some support while taking them.