Raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance

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1. What is antimicrobial resistance? 

• Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites) develop the ability to continue to grow, even when they are exposed to antimicrobial medicines that are meant to kill them or limit their growth (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials and anthelmintics). As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others.

2. What is the difference between antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial resistance

• While antimicrobial resistance refers to all microbes that resist treatments designed to destroy them, antibiotic resistance specifically deals with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

3. Why is protecting children from tobacco industry interference important?

• Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the influence of tobacco marketing. With the rise of social media and streaming platforms, the tobacco industry's targeted campaigns are increasingly reaching young people, putting their health at risk and perpetuating the cycle of addiction.

4. Why is antimicrobial resistance a threat to cancer patients? 

• People living with cancer are more susceptible to infections due to the lowering of immune defences, while surgery and treatments like bone marrow transplants, radiotherapy and chemotherapy put the immune system under immense pressure.

  As many as 1 in 5 cancer patients undergoing treatment are hospitalised due to infection, and antibiotics are the main line of defence.[4]  Pneumonia and sepsis (as a result of bacterial infection of the blood) are among the most frequent causes of admission to intensive care units for cancer patients. In fact, it is estimated that 8.5% of cancer deaths are due to severe sepsis.[5]

  Antibiotics are a key and indispensable part of cancer treatment – many patients simply have to take them – and for their benefit it is important to better manage the use of these medicines and address this crisis.

5. How do I avoid antimicrobial resistance?

• Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a certified health professional.
• Never share or use leftover antibiotics.
• Prevent infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practising safer sex, and keeping vaccinations up to date.

6. What efforts are being made to combat tobacco use?

• Organisations like the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) advocate for effective tobacco control measures, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the majority of smokers reside. These efforts include raising awareness, implementing cost-effective interventions, and combating the tobacco industry's attempts to expand its market and influence policy.

7. What causes antimicrobial resistance? 

• Overuse and misuse: Inappropriate use of antibiotics (e.g., unnecessary prescriptions, incomplete courses) accelerates resistance.
• Agricultural practices: Antibiotics used in agriculture can lead to resistance in animals and humans.
• Global travel and trade: Resistant strains can spread globally due to travel and trade.
• Lack of new drugs: Few new antimicrobial drugs are being developed, exacerbating the problem.