Antimicrobial Resistance (Set 5 in English): Understanding AMR

Simple Ways to Avoid AMR in Hospitals and Homes

Welcome back to the Sangyan Podcast! In today's episode, I’ll be talking about some simple yet effective ways to avoid antimicrobial resistance (AMR), both at home and in healthcare settings.

Let’s start with basic hygiene practices. Regular handwashing with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infections and AMR. By washing your hands regularly, you can remove germs, including resistant bacteria, that are transferred through touch. Also, keeping wounds clean and properly covered helps prevent infections, reducing the need for antibiotics in the first place.

Next, let’s talk about the prudent use of antibiotics. Antibiotics should only be prescribed by healthcare providers when absolutely necessary. Misusing or over-prescribing antibiotics contributes to AMR. It’s really important for patients to follow the prescribed course of antibiotics fully, even if they start feeling better before completing the medication. Stopping treatment early leaves some bacteria alive, which can then become resistant to the antibiotic, making future infections harder to treat.

Now, let’s discuss the importance of avoiding self-treatment and sharing medicines. Never self-medicate or share your antibiotics with others. Each infection is different, and only a healthcare provider can determine the right treatment. Misusing antibiotics by taking leftover medicine or sharing it with others contributes to resistance, making future infections harder to treat.

Finally, vaccinations play a critical role in preventing infections that may otherwise require antibiotics. Getting vaccinated for diseases like the flu and pneumonia can reduce the need for antibiotic treatments, ultimately lowering the risk of developing resistant bacteria. Vaccination helps reduce the overall use of antibiotics, which in turn helps reduce AMR.

That wraps up today’s episode on simple ways to avoid AMR. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll continue to dive into this important topic and explore more ways to protect our health!