Hello and welcome back to my blog! For once, we will not be talking about vaccines, at least not directly. Today we will be discussing antibiotic resistance and the increase with superbugs.
What are Superbugs?
So, what exactly are “superbugs” and what do they have to do with antibiotic resistance? Medical News Today defines a superbug as “a germ that has formed resistance to multiple drugs that once treated the infection caused by the germ.” Any germ has the ability to become a superbug, however, bacterial and fungal strains that commonly infect humans, animals, and crops are most likely to do so. There has recently been a rise in superbugs, partially due to the overuse of antibiotics, leading to antibiotic resistance. Because the natural evolution of bacteria can’t be controlled, there is no way to stop antibiotic resistance entirely, so this is something doctors must keep in mind when prescribing medications to patients.
Problems Arising
As the bacteria and fungi adapt to the way drugs work in the body, they may start resisting the treatment, leading to multiple doses of different and stronger drugs needing to be used. One of the biggest concerns with this is that people will begin to develop resistance to treatments of infectious that were once treatable. This is no good. According to the Antimicrobial Resistance Report from the CDC, “more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the US each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result.” While prevention and infection control efforts are working to reduce these numbers, the number of people facing antibiotic resistance is still very high. Antibiotic resistance bacteria are more present in areas that require regular sterilization (i.e. hospitals), so regular sterilization is key to combating these infections, but can also make the bacteria stronger. The bacteria are also more common in certain foods, such as those in animal products that farmers have treated with antibiotics.
How to Fight the Problem!
According to NBC News, there are various ways in which we can fight this drug-resistant superbug problem. First and foremost, new drugs that these superbugs aren’t resistant to can be developed. However, this may lead to scientists and superbugs “constantly one-upping each other.” People can help combat this problem by avoiding illnesses before antibiotics or anti-fungals are needed. It is crucial that people stay on top of their vaccinations and get the appropriate vaccines that they need. People may also continue to use good hand hygiene and wash their hands with soap multiple times a day. Most importantly, people need to take their antibiotics as prescribed. If people take antibiotics when they aren’t supposed to or don’t take their antibiotics long enough, it alters their microbe and can eventually lead to resistance.
Common Resistant Organisms
In the Antibiotic Resistance Report posted by the CDC, they classified resistant germs based on risk. Some of the highest risk germs include Clostridioides difficile, Candida auris, and Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Enterovacteriaceae bacteria cause diseases such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Resistance of these organisms to antibiotics occurs when then the bacteria no longer respond to the antibiotics that kill them. This bacteria family is constantly evolving and fights the way in which the illnesses are treated. When this family of organisms develops resistance to a group of antibiotics called carbapenems, they are difficult to treat because they do not respond to commonly used antibiotics, therefore, being a threat to public health.
While there is a lot of information about antibiotic resistance and how to possibly prevent it, there is still a lot of research to be done. Bacteria and antibiotics are constantly evolving so there is not definite stop to this problem, however, people should do their part to help. If this problems keeps increasing, antibiotics will soon no longer fight diseases that were once treatable. What will we do without these treatments?! So please, if you’re reading this, do your part. I don’t want to get sick one day and there not be a way to help me get better!
V's Microbionic 