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AMS Resist the resistance Act now. Act how? Strategy to prevent catastrophe Surveil. Survive. Policy for purpose

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Viral infections

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Verdict on viruses

Antiviral resistance (AVR) can’t be forgotten. Particularly in immunocompromised patient populations – it’s mainly driven by viral replication and prolonged drug exposure.1

WHO (World Health Organization) have not yet released a list of priority viral pathogens to match the equivalent records for bacterial and fungal pathogens, but we must take AVR seriously. We are now in a situation where resistance has developed to most antivirals.1

COVID-19 AND THE RESISTANCE

While the relentless rise in multi-drug resistant infections poses a significant threat to global health, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been one of the most profound health challenges of our time. Pandemic-related issues may have caused us to lose progress in combatting wider antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and could play a part in the development of resistance to approved COVID-19 medications.2–5

Due to difficulties distinguishing COVID-19-related pneumonia from other bacterial, fungal, or viral causes, broad-spectrum antimicrobials are frequently inappropriately prescribed to patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This potentially acts as a catalyst for the development of overall AMR.4

While equivalent WHO guidance on viral priority pathogens does not yet exist, the underlying principles of antimicrobial stewardship still apply. Any time antimicrobials are used, they can contribute to resistance.2 But when antimicrobials are needed, we must use them early (at the right time) and at the right dose, to optimize patient outcomes. It’s more important than ever to use them judiciously.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccine doses, view the WHO dashboardViral infectionsSupport & Resources

Need more information on AMR and what to do about it?

 

 LEARN MORE LoadingAMR, antimicrobial resistance; AVR, antiviral resistance; COVID-19, coronavirus disease-2019; WHO, World Health Organization.References:World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance. 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance. Accessed June 2023.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 & Antimicrobial Resistance. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/covid19.html. Accessed June 2023.Langford BJ et al. Lancet Microbe 2023;4(3):e179-e191.Kariyawasam RM et al. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2022;11(1):45.Volansky R. ‘Inevitable’ or not? Experts debate antiviral resistance to COVID-19 drugs as data emerge. 2022. Healio News. Available at: https://www.healio.com/news/rheumatology/20221018/inevitable-or-not-experts-debate-antiviral-resistance-to-covid19-drugs-as-data-emerge. Accessed June 2023.
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