The specific hazards of anti-bacterial drug abuse are far-reaching and widespread, affecting not only individual health but also posing a serious threat to public health in society. The following is a detailed description of this issue:
I. Organismal fungus disorders and gastrointestinal problems
The abuse of antibacterial drugs leads, first and foremost, to an imbalance in the normal bacterial population in the machine. There are a large number of micro-organisms in the human body that limit and balance symbiotic life and play an important role in maintaining the physiological function of the human body. When anti-bacterial drugs are abused, they not only kill the fungi, but also damage the good fungus in the body, leading to their disorders. This disorder may cause a range of gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach swelling, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, etc. While these symptoms appear to be minor, their persistence can seriously affect the quality of life of individuals.
II. Emergence and transmission
One of the greatest hazards of anti-bacterial drug abuse is increased bacterial resistance. With the widespread use of antibacterial drugs, a number of otherwise sensitive bacteria have gradually developed resistance and even superb bacteria with multiple resistance. The emergence of these drug-resistant strains has made treatment more difficult and sometimes untreated. The spread of drug resistance is also a serious problem, and once it spreads among the population, it creates a drug-resistant “epidemic” that has a huge impact on the health system of society as a whole.
Specifically, drug resistance is due to the selective pressure of antibacterial drugs. During the use of antibacterials, sensitive strains are killed, while resistant strains have the opportunity to survive and breed. Over time, the proportion of drug-resistant strains will gradually increase, eventually leading to an increase in the level of resistance of the whole bacterial population. In addition, drug-resistant genes can spread between different types of bacteria, including through horizontal gene transfer, further exacerbating resistance problems.
III. Damage to liver and kidney function and the blood system
Antibacterial drugs rely mainly on liver and kidney functions during metabolism and excretion in humans. As a result, the abuse of antibacterial drugs increases the burden on both organs and may cause damage to liver and kidney functions. For patients whose liver and kidney function has been impaired, the damage may be more severe and even life-threatening.
In addition to liver and kidney functions, antibacterial drugs can cause damage to the blood system. Some antibacterial drugs affect the formation of blood cells in long-term or large-scale use, resulting in a reduction of blood cells, including white cells and particle cells, a reduction in blood platelets and a reduction in whole blood cells, i.e., regenerative obstructive anaemia. Damage to these blood systems may cause symptoms such as anaemia, haemorrhage and, in serious cases, even blood transfusion treatment.
IV. Diverse infections and inter-hospital infections
Antibacterial drug abuse also leads to an increased risk of double infection. Under normal conditions, bacterial parasites are present in the oral, respiratory and intestinal parts of the human body, and these strains maintain a state of equilibrium under stress. However, when broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs are used for long periods of time, the sensitive bacteria are killed, and the unsensitized bacteria, fungi, and alien bacteria are used to breed, which can induce another infection. This new infection caused by anti-bacterial drugs is referred to as a double infection, which is often more difficult to treat than the original infection.
In addition, anti-bacterial drug abuse is one of the major factors leading to cross-infection in institutions. In hospital settings, patient-to-patient contact is high and other patients are vulnerable to exposure to drug-resistant strains if they include drug-resistant strains. This not only increases the difficulty of treatment for patients and the cost of medical care, but may also threaten the safety of medical personnel.
V. Wasteful medical resources and increased economic burden
The production of antibacterial drugs requires considerable resources and energy, as well as rigorous quality control and safety assessments. As a result, the cost of developing and producing antibacterial drugs is high. However, because of the widespread abuse of anti-bacterial drugs, many drugs are not used rationally. This not only results in the waste of medical resources, but also increases the economic burden on society.
In addition, because of the emergence of drug-resistant strains and the increased difficulty of treatment, patients need longer treatment and use a wider range of drugs to control their development. This has led to a sharp rise in health-care costs, placing a heavy economic burden on patients and families.
VI. Social hazards and public health challenges
The problem of drug resistance caused by anti-bacterial drug abuse has become one of the global public health challenges. It not only affects human health and life security, but also has far-reaching implications for areas such as livestock and aquaculture. In livestock, a large number of antibacterial drugs are often used to prevent and treat animal diseases and to promote growth and increase yields. Such practices, however, not only lead to the generation and spread of resistant strains in animals, but may also enter the human body through the food chain and pose a threat to human health. Similar problems exist in aquaculture.
In summary, the harm of anti-bacterial drug abuse is multifaceted, far-reaching and widespread. It not only undermines the normal physiological and immune function of the organism, but also leads to the generation and spread of resistance, damage to the liver and kidney function, increased risk of double and inter-hospital infections, and increased waste of medical resources and economic burdens. We must therefore give high priority to the use and management of anti-bacterial drugs and take effective measures to curb their abuse and development.
