Today's Edition
Ibrahim Salim (Abu Dhabi)
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority has warned of adverse consequences resulting from the improper use of antibiotics.
The authority has identified seven cases for antibiotic use, which include fever or high temperature, elevated white blood cell count, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, fluids around the nose and eyes, treatment of bacterial infections, prevention of bacterial growth in the case of viral inflammation, prevention of bacterial growth in surgical cases and wounds, and reducing inflammation.
The authority emphasised that the misuse of antibiotics leads to adverse effects, including bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Excessive and prolonged use of antibiotics makes them less effective, as bacteria develop resistance to the specific type of antibiotic, reducing the effectiveness of treatment in subsequent cases if the animal becomes ill.
Bacterial resistance can also be transferred to humans. Excessive antibiotic use can also disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the body, as some types of bacteria are beneficial and help the body function normally. Excessive use of antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria along with harmful ones, leading to an imbalance in the body.
During a remote seminar, the authority pointed out that the optimal use of antibiotics depends on several factors, including the type of bacteria causing the infection, the affected area, bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and many other factors that the doctor takes into consideration before prescribing antibiotics.
