Dangerous convergence: COVID-19, substandard antibiotics and AMR

Unfortunately, antibiotics are often overused and overprescribed during emergencies, even when they are least likely to be effective. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is one such instance. A recent report showed that doctors heavily prescribed antibiotics in the beginning of the pandemic, desperate to try to help in any way by preventing secondary bacterial infections. 

This excessive use of antibiotics increases the risk of AMR and serves as another lesson about prudent antibiotic usage. The use of antibiotics during the previous SARS epidemic resulted in a sharp local rise in AMR. The World Health Organization (WHO), concerned about the increased antibiotic usage, has issued guidance to not use antibiotic therapy or prophylaxis in mild COVID-19 patients. 

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