Antibiotics are an essential part of medicine. Unfortunately, there are a growing number of bacterial infections that are resistant to many kinds of antibiotics. These "nightmare bacteria" have reached the point doctors have been forced to take action to do something about it.
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What are Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria?
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a kind of bacteria that resists antibiotics and isn't killed by them. This creates bacterial infections that can't be treated by conventional means.
One real-life example of these bacteria in action came in 2016 when a woman in her 70s was infected by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Doctors couldn't stem the infection with antibiotics resulting in the death of the poor woman.
The scary thing about these "nightmare bacteria" as some call them is that they may be new, but that doesn't mean that they won't become more of a problem in the future.
How Does it Happen?
You're likely wondering how these antibiotic-resistant bacteria happened in the first place. Well, much like humans can gain immunity to diseases with the help of our immune systems, bacteria can mutate and develop resistance to antibiotics. Some have evolved to a point where they are resistant to traditional antibiotics.
It generally takes bacteria a long time to evolve to the point of being resistant to antibiotics. The over-prescription of antibiotics and the over-reliance on them has fuelled the process. Medical professionals are now fighting an uphill battle to create new antibiotics and treatment methods to combat the mutated bacteria.
What can We Do?
There's no doubt that your own health – and of your loved ones – is incredibly important to you. This is what makes the prospect of these nightmare bacteria so scary. It's scary to think that there's something we don't have a treatment for. With that said, there are ways to reduce the risk of infection by these super bacteria.
Staying healthy and avoiding infection is just one of the many countless reasons to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Also, take steps to strengthen your immune system and stay strong. It's also worth avoiding using antibiotics when you can. Not every infection requires the use of antibiotics. Thinking that they do is how we found ourselves in this situation in the first place. Don't be afraid to tell your doctor that you think you don't need antibiotics if they try to prescribe them.
Should we be Worried?
Of course, we should be. If nothing is done to combat these new strains of bacteria, we might find ourselves witnessing a pandemic of unprecedented scale in the future. With that said, doctors are continually looking for new treatment methods. Advancements in medical technology will also be a powerful weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
As long as we take steps to reduce our reliance on antibiotics and encourage healthy and robust immune systems, there is less to worry about. Do what you can for yourself and let your immune system take care of the little things. By applying antibiotics at the right time, we can stop bacteria evolving and becoming resistant to antibiotics – or at least slow them down long enough to develop a new medicine.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria. A lot of BS is being published about this leading to antibiotics being with held when they should be given causing patient deaths from sepsis! The big drug companies are suspected to be behind the scare stories in order to extract taxpayers money in the form of government funding to develop new antibiotics. The solutions are known, but are being suppressed! Any antibiotic found to be ineffective has to be withdrawn for five years and then reintroduced for use when bacteria has lost its resistance.this is known as rotation and applies to all antibiotics. There must a be a worldwide rule via the WHO that antibiotics can only be obtained by patients through medical prescription; as opposed to over the counter purchase. Such prescriptions must be given carefully to prevent over use. An end to antibiotic assisted intensive farming must be brought in. Properly resourced and prioritised hospital cleaning and infection control to prevent hospital acquired infections requiring antibiotic treatment is a must! Natural lino floors and copper metal hand rails and handles are naturally anti bacterial and should therefore be used extensively in hospitals.