Alexa Kassels, Class of 2021
Resistant bacteria has been rapidly emerging worldwide, threatening the effectiveness of antibiotics. Antibiotics has revolutionized medicine by saving millions of lives. However, overuse and misuse of antibiotics has led to bacterial infections becoming a threat again (Ventola 2015).
Bacteria are single-celled organisms found almost everywhere. Many bacteria are helpful, while others are disease-causing and cause many different types of illnesses, such as strep throat. Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria by either killing the bacteria or by preventing it from multiplying.
When bacteria develop the ability to endure the drugs used to kill them, antibiotic resistance occurs. There are many ways that bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. Some bacteria can change their shape so the antibiotic can no longer attach to the bacteria and kill it. Others can make an antibiotic harmless by “neutralizing” it. Additionally, other bacteria have learned to pump the antibiotics outside of the bacteria before it can do any harm (Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers).
The more you are exposed to antibiotics, the more likely bacteria are going to become resistant. Even if one bacterium survives the antibiotic by finding a way to resist it, the bacterium can cause major damage and multiply until all of the bacteria that were killed are replaced (Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers).
Without serious change, we are heading to a post-antibiotic era, where common infections and small injuries will be able to kill again (Antibiotic Resistance). Each year in the U.S., over 2 million people develop an infection that is resistant to antibiotics and over 23,000 people die from an antibiotic-resistant infection (Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance 2018). The misuse and overuse of antibiotics, along with poor infection prevention and control, accelerates antibiotic resistance. All levels of society can take action to limit the spread of resistance (Antibiotic Resistance).
Individuals can control the spread of antibiotic resistance in many ways. First, individuals must only use antibiotics when prescribed by a health professional, and trust their health provider if he/she says that they do not need antibiotics. Second, individuals should closely follow the directions given with the antibiotics when taking them. Third, people should never share or use leftover antibiotics. Additionally, individuals can help to prevent infections in general by washing hands and avoiding contact with sick people (Antibiotic Resistance).
Policy makers can also have a major impact on preventing the increase of antibiotic resistance. Government officials can ensure a national plan is in place to lead to a solution to antibiotic resistance. Improving surveillance of antibiotic-resistant infections can also help to reduce antibiotic resistance. In addition, policy makers should strengthen policies, programs, and implementation of infection prevention and control measures. Lastly, the public should be educated about the antibiotic resistance crisis (Antibiotic Resistance).
Additionally, healthcare professionals can help prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance in multiple ways. They can prescribe an antibiotic only when it is likely to help the patient, and prescribe the antibiotic that kills the bacteria that is most likely causing the patient’s illness. Healthcare professionals should also strongly encourage parents to follow the instructions for the antibiotic (Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers). Furthermore, healthcare professionals should ensure their hands, instruments, and environment are clean to prevent the spread of infections.
The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics. Even if new medicines are developed, antibiotic resistance will remain a major threat if action is not taken (Antibiotic Resistance). If society works together to make changes in behavior, antibiotic resistance can be prevented.
Works Cited
Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance (AR / AMR). 2018 Nov 26 [accessed 2019 Mar 5]. https://
www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest_threats.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https://
www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/threat-report-2013/index.html
Antibiotic resistance. [accessed 2019 Mar 5]. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/
antibiotic-resistance
Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers | Community | Antibiotic Use | CDC. [accessed
2019 Mar 5]. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/about/antibiotic-resistance-
faqs.html
Ventola CL. The Antibiotic Resistance Crisis. 2015 Apr [accessed 2019 Mar 5]. https://
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378521/
Bacteria are single-celled organisms found almost everywhere. Many bacteria are helpful, while others are disease-causing and cause many different types of illnesses, such as strep throat. Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria by either killing the bacteria or by preventing it from multiplying.
When bacteria develop the ability to endure the drugs used to kill them, antibiotic resistance occurs. There are many ways that bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. Some bacteria can change their shape so the antibiotic can no longer attach to the bacteria and kill it. Others can make an antibiotic harmless by “neutralizing” it. Additionally, other bacteria have learned to pump the antibiotics outside of the bacteria before it can do any harm (Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers).
The more you are exposed to antibiotics, the more likely bacteria are going to become resistant. Even if one bacterium survives the antibiotic by finding a way to resist it, the bacterium can cause major damage and multiply until all of the bacteria that were killed are replaced (Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers).
Without serious change, we are heading to a post-antibiotic era, where common infections and small injuries will be able to kill again (Antibiotic Resistance). Each year in the U.S., over 2 million people develop an infection that is resistant to antibiotics and over 23,000 people die from an antibiotic-resistant infection (Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance 2018). The misuse and overuse of antibiotics, along with poor infection prevention and control, accelerates antibiotic resistance. All levels of society can take action to limit the spread of resistance (Antibiotic Resistance).
Individuals can control the spread of antibiotic resistance in many ways. First, individuals must only use antibiotics when prescribed by a health professional, and trust their health provider if he/she says that they do not need antibiotics. Second, individuals should closely follow the directions given with the antibiotics when taking them. Third, people should never share or use leftover antibiotics. Additionally, individuals can help to prevent infections in general by washing hands and avoiding contact with sick people (Antibiotic Resistance).
Policy makers can also have a major impact on preventing the increase of antibiotic resistance. Government officials can ensure a national plan is in place to lead to a solution to antibiotic resistance. Improving surveillance of antibiotic-resistant infections can also help to reduce antibiotic resistance. In addition, policy makers should strengthen policies, programs, and implementation of infection prevention and control measures. Lastly, the public should be educated about the antibiotic resistance crisis (Antibiotic Resistance).
Additionally, healthcare professionals can help prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance in multiple ways. They can prescribe an antibiotic only when it is likely to help the patient, and prescribe the antibiotic that kills the bacteria that is most likely causing the patient’s illness. Healthcare professionals should also strongly encourage parents to follow the instructions for the antibiotic (Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers). Furthermore, healthcare professionals should ensure their hands, instruments, and environment are clean to prevent the spread of infections.
The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics. Even if new medicines are developed, antibiotic resistance will remain a major threat if action is not taken (Antibiotic Resistance). If society works together to make changes in behavior, antibiotic resistance can be prevented.
Works Cited
Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance (AR / AMR). 2018 Nov 26 [accessed 2019 Mar 5]. https://
www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest_threats.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https://
www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/threat-report-2013/index.html
Antibiotic resistance. [accessed 2019 Mar 5]. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/
antibiotic-resistance
Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers | Community | Antibiotic Use | CDC. [accessed
2019 Mar 5]. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/about/antibiotic-resistance-
faqs.html
Ventola CL. The Antibiotic Resistance Crisis. 2015 Apr [accessed 2019 Mar 5]. https://
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378521/
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