The increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria is a substantial issue in the medical world today and is one of the greatest threats to the survival of the human species. Many bacterial infections that were once treatable with antibiotics are becoming increasingly untreatable, due to the bacteria being overexposed to antibiotics and consequently developing resistances to them. The use of antibiotics agriculturally in livestock and with veterinarians with pets are also factors in the increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria, but this report will be primarily focused on the improper use and prescription of antibiotics among the general public.
The main causes for the increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria are the overuse and improper …show more content…
Just as with all things in nature, living things learn to adapt and evolve to protect themselves against constant threats to their survival. For this reason each time an antibiotic is used, all of the bacteria in a human system that comes into contact with is given an opportunity to mutate and pass on it’s newly modified genes thus creating an entirely new strand of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Often this strand is created as a result of improper dosage of antibiotics, which means the person taking them is likely still sick and at a high risk of passing on the new strand to others. The person who gets sick from the new strand of antibiotic resistant bacteria will have an even harder time kicking the bug, and if they too do not fully and properly take the medication (which will be less effective now), they will be at a high risk of passing on the contagion as well. In the second host the slightly resistant bacteria are given another opportunity to mutate, reproduce and become even more resistant to the antibiotics until eventually the bacteria becomes fully immune …show more content…
The most influential solution is to minimize unnecessary prescribing and overprescribing of antibiotics. By limiting the amount and frequency humans are exposed to antibiotics, it also decreases the amount of chances the bacteria have to mutate and reproduce. It is important to reduce the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria by only prescribing antibiotics under reserve circumstances such as: when the benefits to the patient are likely to be substantial, when the antibiotics are given in the most precise range to target a particular pathogen, and prescribed at an appropriate dose for an appropriate duration. It is extremely important to complete the full regiment of antibiotics as prescribed, even when the patient starts to feel better, to control and ensure the complete elimination of infectious bacteria (1).
Practicing good hygiene is an essential method for controlling the spread of resistant bacteria. It is crucial to isolate oneself when they are ill with a bacterial infection, and especially with an antibiotic resistant infection. Everyone one should make sure to wash their hands, cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing, to use tissues and dispose of them properly and to stay home when feeling unwell. By controlling the spread of bacteria, it will decrease the rate at which they reproduce and if isolated enough, it could eventually result in the extinction of certain
The main causes for the increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria are the overuse and improper …show more content…
Just as with all things in nature, living things learn to adapt and evolve to protect themselves against constant threats to their survival. For this reason each time an antibiotic is used, all of the bacteria in a human system that comes into contact with is given an opportunity to mutate and pass on it’s newly modified genes thus creating an entirely new strand of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Often this strand is created as a result of improper dosage of antibiotics, which means the person taking them is likely still sick and at a high risk of passing on the new strand to others. The person who gets sick from the new strand of antibiotic resistant bacteria will have an even harder time kicking the bug, and if they too do not fully and properly take the medication (which will be less effective now), they will be at a high risk of passing on the contagion as well. In the second host the slightly resistant bacteria are given another opportunity to mutate, reproduce and become even more resistant to the antibiotics until eventually the bacteria becomes fully immune …show more content…
The most influential solution is to minimize unnecessary prescribing and overprescribing of antibiotics. By limiting the amount and frequency humans are exposed to antibiotics, it also decreases the amount of chances the bacteria have to mutate and reproduce. It is important to reduce the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria by only prescribing antibiotics under reserve circumstances such as: when the benefits to the patient are likely to be substantial, when the antibiotics are given in the most precise range to target a particular pathogen, and prescribed at an appropriate dose for an appropriate duration. It is extremely important to complete the full regiment of antibiotics as prescribed, even when the patient starts to feel better, to control and ensure the complete elimination of infectious bacteria (1).
Practicing good hygiene is an essential method for controlling the spread of resistant bacteria. It is crucial to isolate oneself when they are ill with a bacterial infection, and especially with an antibiotic resistant infection. Everyone one should make sure to wash their hands, cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing, to use tissues and dispose of them properly and to stay home when feeling unwell. By controlling the spread of bacteria, it will decrease the rate at which they reproduce and if isolated enough, it could eventually result in the extinction of certain