The Enemy in Our Closets - Antimicrobial Resistance

The Enemy in Our Closets - Antimicrobial Resistance

Published on Sep 27, 2025 01:52 AM

“Give am tetracycline”, one woman says in Nigerian pidgin English. “Na antibiotik I dey use for my pikin dem rash and e dey clear sharp sharp”, another woman chips in. You watch as these women turn to unsolicited advisors and untrained health practitioners.


From fever, it progresses to headache and several other symptoms. Your mum, who does not believe in the use of orthodox medicine, concludes it is malaria, and as usual, goes ahead to give you several bitter concoctions which she believes would cure you instantly.


You wake up one morning and discover rashes on your body, which you would later get to know as smallpox. You are trying to figure out what this new development is, and as well mourn over the fact that you are most likely to get even more bitter concoctions from your mum.


You swell with excitement when she announces that she will use the medicine a neighbour suggested. You have always trusted these suggestions, and they seem to work for you. Besides, they were less bitter than the concoctions from your mum.


Getting over-the-counter medications for the slightest fever or pain, taking the remaining dosages of antibiotics that a younger sibling abandoned because you noticed similar symptoms to what she got the medication for. Gradually and ignorantly, you build a safe place for an enemy in your closet. 


You only notice that the medicine seems not to be effective anymore, and so you double the dosage or find another more powerful drug to augment it. You complain of how the medicine companies produce less effective medications without knowing that you have built a closet for ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE.


What are Antimicrobial Agents?

Antimicrobial agents are medicines that reduce or stop the growth of disease-causing microorganisms, commonly known as germs. It is a group name for antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. Antibiotics are effective for bacteria, antivirals for viruses, antifungals for fungi and antiparasitics for parasites. 


When does Antimicrobial Resistance occur?

Medicines that were once very effective in combating certain microorganisms may become ineffective. This occurs because these organisms have developed a defence system against the medicines that used to destroy them. Hence, when a patient takes these drugs, there is no effect on the microorganisms. Thus, sicknesses and diseases caused by these organisms remain without being cured.


In recent years, antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a critical global health concern, posing significant challenges to both human and veterinary medicine. This has resulted in severe difficulties in the effective treatment of infectious diseases. The misuse, overuse, and poor disposal of antibiotics in agriculture, particularly in livestock production, have been identified as major contributors to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. Resistance also develops as a result of more complex processes like genetic mutation and horizontal gene transfer.


Resistant bacteria from livestock can be transferred to humans via direct contact, consumption of contaminated food products or environmental pathways. The transmission can contribute to human infections that are more challenging to treat. They can spread within healthcare settings and communities and pose a risk of outbreaks. Controlling the spread of these infections becomes more challenging when the standard treatments are ineffective. 


What is the way forward? Is there hope?

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), preventing the spread of resistant bacteria involves a combination of strategies focusing on responsible antibiotic use, infection prevention and public health measures.


These include;

  • Following appropriate prescription practices 
  • Completing a full course of treatment with any antimicrobial. 
  • Avoid sharing of antibiotics (antibiotics must be treated as personal belongings).
  • Promoting good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and proper and hygienic food handling. This can limit the risk of faecal-oral transmission.
  • Vaccination to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
  • Building awareness among healthcare professionals, farmers, food handlers and the general public about the importance of antibiotic resistance and prevention measures. These awareness campaigns and trainings should be funded by the government.


The fight against antimicrobial resistance is a noble cause. Together, let us join hands and exterminate this enemy in our closet.


References


Written by FAITH ONYEDIKACHI NWACHUKWU.

Microbiologist and AMR advocate.