PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As the world slowly pulls out of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from the United Nations Environment Program says that climate change and antimicrobial resistance are two of the greatest threats to global health.
The report, “Bracing for Superbugs,” looks at the role of climate change and how it contributes to the rise of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and viruses. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses and fungi develop the ability to sidestep or defeat medications like antibiotics
“The development and spread of [antimicrobial resistance] means that antimicrobials used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants might turn ineffective, with modern medicine no longer able to treat even mild infections,” said the United Nations Environment Program in a news release.
When it comes to dealing with resistant viruses and bacteria, KYW Newsradio’s Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough says that a lot of the issues stem from the overuse of antibiotics.
“We know as physicians that patients come in with an ear infection and they want an antibiotic, but it might be a viral cause,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s easier to give the antibiotic.”
“Patients and providers need to be very aware of not overusing them,” he added. “If a bacteria figures out what's going on, it mutates and that antibiotic won’t work as well because the bacteria has armed itself against it.”
For more of what Dr. Brian McDonough has to say about resistant illnesses, listen to the full conversation below.