Superbugs: Superbugs will kill 40 million people by 2050! This is how they harm the body

A serious threat to health is rapidly emerging in the world, which is called 'superbugs'. These superbugs have become such a big threat to human life that by 2050, about 4 crore people may die due to them.

A serious threat to health is rapidly emerging in the world, which is called 'superbugs'. These superbugs have become such a big threat to human life that by 2050, about 40 million people will die due to them. This shocking claim has been made in a new study by The Lancet.

The biggest reason for the growing problem of superbugs is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, which allows microbes such as bacteria and fungi to escape the effects of antibiotics. This phenomenon is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which makes the disease untreatable and drastically increases mortality rates.

1.27 million people have died

According to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, bacterial antimicrobial resistance directly killed 1.27 million (ie 12.7 lakh) people, while it indirectly contributed to 4.95 million (ie 49.5 lakh) deaths. It has been estimated that by 2050, superbugs could severely overwhelm the medical system at the global level, leading to an extra health cost of more than 1 trillion US dollars.

How do superbugs spread?

The main causes of the spread of superbugs include indiscriminate use of antibiotics, incorrect medical advice, and overuse of antibiotics in animals. Overuse in humans and animals makes these microorganisms resistant to these drugs, causing even common diseases to become fatal.

Effects of superbugs on the human body

1. Infectious diseases may become impossible to treat

Due to superbugs, common diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), and urinary tract infections (which could be treated with antibiotics) may now become incurable. As a result, the risk of infection spreading in the body increases, which can lead to organ failure, sepsis, or death. Even minor injuries or infections can be fatal.

2. Risk of infection after surgery

There is always a risk of infection during or after surgery. The presence of superbugs can make prophylactic antibiotics given during surgery ineffective, increasing the risk of infection. This can lead to prolonged hospitalization, reoperation, or even death due to failure to control the infection.

3. Cancer is curable and

chemotherapy is given to treat difficult cancers, which weakens the immune system. Superbugs increase the risk of infection in hospitals, which can make treatment even more risky for cancer patients.

4. Danger for patients with chronic diseases

Patients suffering from diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, or lung disease already have a weak immune system, and their condition can become more serious due to superbugs. If diabetes patients get infected with superbugs, it can even lead to amputation of limbs.

5. Risk of spreading antimicrobial resistance

Superbugs can further increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases in the future. Patients, health workers, and even visitors can become carriers of these, causing infections to spread rapidly in communities and put a heavy burden on the health system.

How to protect yourself?

- Wash hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

- Cook food properly and use clean water.

- Avoid contact with sick persons.

- Do not take antibiotics without consulting a doctor.

- Finish the entire course of medication, even if you feel better.

- Do not use leftover medicines.

The threat of superbugs has become a serious challenge not only at the personal level but for the entire world. Only the right use of antibiotics and the right health safety measures can save us from this growing threat.