In today ‘ s medical environment, the use of antibacterial drugs is an important topic of concern. With the growing problem of bacterial resistance, the proper use of antibacterial drugs has become a key component in ensuring public health.
Antibacterial drugs operate in a manner that interferes with the normal physiological function of bacteria and thereby inhibits or kills bacteria. For example, β-neamide antibiotics, by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cytowalls, cause bacteria to break up and die as a result of osmosis pressure; amino sugar slurry, for example, acts on bacteria’ nuclei and hinders protein synthesis. These drugs have had tremendous success in the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, where the combined use of multiple antibacterials has significantly reduced the mortality and morbidity of tuberculosis.
However, the abuse of antibacterial drugs has taken a heavy toll on us. On the one hand, in daily life, many people have the wrong idea of using drugs. Minor diseases, such as common flu and viral diseases such as influenza, do not require the use of antibacterial drugs, but patients tend to take them on their own and expect rapid recovery. Such an approach not only does not contribute to the state of the disease, but may also lead to the disruption of the micro-ecological balance in the body and increase the risk of other infections. On the other hand, there are irregularities in the use of anti-bacterial drugs in some medical institutions. In pursuit of rapid therapeutic effects, overuse of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs ignores the principle of precision drug use; or poor control over the dose and treatment process, which results in bacteria not being completely eliminated, but rather in the creation of drug-resistant strains.
The development of bacterial resistance has become a major challenge in the field of global public health. The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has rendered ineffective antibacterial drugs, and the treatment of infectious diseases has become more difficult. According to research, the mortality rate of certain drug-resistant strains is several times higher than that of sensitive strains. Moreover, the pace of the development of new antibacterial drugs is far from keeping pace with the rate of bacterial resistance, which exposes us to the potential threat of a “post-neobiotic age” that, once infected with a drug-resistant bacteria, there may be no drugs available.
In order to ensure the safe and effective use of anti-bacterial drugs, we must follow a range of scientific principles of drug use. First, precision diagnosis is key. Prior to the use of anti-bacterial drugs, the existence of bacterial infections and the type of pathogens infected should be determined through detailed medical history inquiries, medical examinations and necessary laboratory examinations, such as blood protocol, bacterial culture and pharmacological tests. The use of anti-bacterial drugs is considered only when bacterial infections are identified. Second, a rational choice of drugs. The most appropriate antibacterial drugs are selected on the basis of the type of pathogen, the results of the drug sensitivity, the antibacterial spectrum of the drug, the dynamics of the drug and its efficacy, and the individual circumstances of the patient (e.g. age, liver and kidney function, allergies, etc.). To avoid blind use of broad-spectral antibacterial drugs, priority is given to narrow-spectral, targeted drugs. Moreover, the use of dosages and treatments is regulated. In strict conformity with the medical instructions or the prescribed medication of the doctor, no increase in the dose may be made or the treatment may be shortened or extended. In general, antibacterial drugs should use sufficient doses and procedures to ensure the complete elimination of pathogens, but it is not appropriate to be too long to increase the risk of adverse reactions and the chance of bacterial resistance. Finally, attention is paid to the adverse effects of drugs. During drug use, patients ‘ reactions, such as rashes, itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abnormal liver and kidney function, should be closely observed and appropriate measures taken.
In addition, public education is an important means of promoting the rational use of anti-bacterial drugs. Public awareness of anti-bacterial drugs is promoted through the development of science campaigns to correct misconceptions about the use of anti-bacterial drugs and to make people aware of the hazards of their adaptation, taboos and abuse. At the same time, medical institutions should strengthen the management and monitoring of the use of anti-bacterial drugs, establish systems and regulations for the rational use of sound antibacterial drugs, conduct regular training and appraisal of medical personnel and increase the level of rational use of antibacterial drugs.
Antibacterial drugs are one of the great inventions in the history of human medicine, but we must use them correctly if we are to make full use of their therapeutic effects and avoid further deterioration of bacterial resistance. Safety and effectiveness, in combination, are principles that we should always uphold in the course of antibacterial use, so that we can maintain our advantage in this “combat” with bacteria and safeguard human health.
