Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural phenomenon occurring when microorganisms – such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites – become resistant to the antimicrobial medicines designed to fight them. In other words, these medicines become less and less effective or totally ineffective in treating the infections caused by these resistant microorganisms. That’s why AMR is...
Over the past few decades, astounding advances have been made in cancer care. Alongside anti-cancer medicines, radiotherapy, and surgical procedures, antimicrobial medicines are essential therapies. Patients living with cancer rely on effective antibiotics and sometimes antivirals to prevent and treat infections. Their survival depends on these vital medicines working. Infections are among the most frequent complications...
What are antifungal medicines? And what does antifungal resistance mean? Is it somehow related to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)? At first glance, these topics may seem difficult to understand. But do not worry, in this blog we will try to shed light on them.As always, let’s begin with basic concepts. What are antimicrobials? They are medications...
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is a practical, evidence-based approach to prevent avoidable infections in health care settings, including those caused by anti-microbial resistant germs. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when an infection no longer responds to the medicines that were designed to treat them (i.e. antimicrobials including antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics, and antivirals). No one should...
Can diagnostic tests help to identify Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)? Yes, of course they can! In this short blog we will learn what diagnostic tests are, and their valuable role in the management of infections, especially of those ones caused by Antimicrobial Resistant germs.Let’s start from the basics. Diagnostic tests can detect the presence or absence of...
What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa and how does AMR play a role?Author: Arnav Padhi Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium, which is mainly found in hospital environments, causing infections in the bloodstream, urinary tract, lungs, surgical wounds and burns. It is commonly seen in those nursed in intensive care units requiring mechanical help with their breathing. This bacteria...
What impact could advocacy and storytelling have on AMR? Advocacy has always been a powerful tool to create change. One important facet of advocacy utilised to memorably illustrate complex challenges or improvements in healthcare, is storytelling.Before we could read and write, we told stories. Storytelling is as ancient as humankind and from its earliest origins involved...
