Lets call Antimicrobial Resistance, AMR
Let’s be real, most of us have taken antibiotics without thinking twice. Maybe you had a cough, malaria-like symptoms, or even just a stubborn fever, and someone said, “Take Augmentin, it works for everything.” Sound familiar?
I’ve been there too. Here, it’s common to walk into a pharmacy, ask for “strong drugs,” and get antibiotics without a prescription. It feels easy and quick but here’s the truth: every time we misuse or overuse antibiotics, we’re making them weaker. And that’s what AMR is all about and its on the rise
So, what is AMR really?
Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs (like bacteria, viruses, or parasites) stop responding to the medicines that used to kill them.
- That cough that used to clear up with antibiotics? It might not go away.
- Malaria that responds slower to treatment? That’s resistance too.
- Infections that should be “simple and affordable to treat” suddenly become dangerous and expensive.
This isn’t just a health issue, sadly it’s a life issue.
Why should we care
- Self-medication is common: many people skip seeing a doctor and just buy antibiotics over the counter.
- Incomplete doses: once people feel better, they stop taking the medicine. But the germs don’t stop; they fight back stronger.
- Fake or substandard drugs: sometimes what we buy isn’t even the right quality, which fuels resistance.
- Cultural shortcuts: we share drugs with friends and family because “it worked for me, it will work for you.”
The result? Infections that used to be easy to treat now take longer, cost more, and sometimes become life-threatening.
My personal take
I remember when my younger cousin had a simple ear infection. We thought it would go away quickly with antibiotics. But after weeks of different prescriptions, the infection only got worse because the bacteria had become resistant. What should have been a quick fix turned into hospital visits, stronger drugs, and so much stress for the family.
That’s when it hit me, antibiotic misuse isn’t just a “big medical issue”, it’s something that affects real people, real families.
What we can do (yes, you and me)
- Don’t self-medicate: see a doctor before taking antibiotics.
- Finish your dose: even if you feel better, complete the treatment.
- Stop sharing drugs: what works for you may not work for someone else.
- Buy from trusted pharmacies like onedrugstore, avoid fake or substandard medicines.
- Ask questions: know why you’re being prescribed antibiotics.
Final Word
Antimicrobial resistance may sound like a big global issue, but it starts with the little choices we make at home and in our communities. If we don’t act now, the “strong drugs” we rely on today may not work tomorrow.
So let’s take care of our health wisely, because the fight against resistance starts with us.
Onedrugstore: Making health simple, one conversation at a time.
