The human body is a wonderful phenomenon which has its own resistant capacity and is equipped to protect itself against the microorganisms. All the organs in our body have different abilities to fight with microbes. Blinking capacity and tears of eyes, coughing and sneezing of respiratory tract are all natural reactions of the body to foreign particles. As a part of antibiotic treatment our body will lose its natural protective measures and the aftereffect is a huge multidrug bacterial resistance. Over-the-counter use of antibiotics is a major threat to future antibiotic resistance. The bacterium has already made aces against the latest antibiotic called Carbapenem. We think that the latest is more effective but bacteria is equipping much faster than our Research and development. Acinetobacter Baumanni is a hero among the resistant bacteria. Due to this bacterial resistance the most infectious division in a hospital is the ICU.

When it comes to treating a patient, a doctor can’t just trust the reports. The protective membranes of skin, oral cavity, lungs, mucus membrane etc will rupture when we put a venflon or while using an intubation. The use of antibiotics by right prescriptions and right checkups will reduce the drastic aftereffects of antibiotics. We must be socially conscious in the judicious usage of antibiotics.

Hand washing is the main remedy to prevent infections. Hand washing as prevention against infection was first implemented by the Hungarian physician Ignaze Philipp Semmelweis in 1847 and this drastically reduced incidence of puerperal fever in obstetrical clinics. Nowadays hospitals have reminders for hand washing and they also teach hand washing techniques. Many hospitals have vigilance teams for the constant monitoring of hygiene. Hand washing and hygiene doesn’t belong only to doctors. The nurses, visitors, bystanders and the whole community must have to be cautious about the infections.

In future we will have to take many precautions to protect us from the highly equipped new generation bacteria. In that era, if an infection comes we will be doomed as there will be no other options to combat it. There is a story of a Zen master who was envious of his brilliant disciple. To belittle him, the master holds a butterfly in his hands and asks the disciple if it is alive or dead. If the disciple says it is alive, the master can crush it and if he says it is dead the master can release it. The disciple said ‘Master it’s in your hands’. We would do well to follow his words.

Dr. Anand Kumar is a Neurologist at Amrita Institute of Medical sciences.

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