When I was about 8, I had a tonsillitis-like bacterial infection. I had a fever of about 102 and felt like crap, but I went to the doctor, was prescribed an antibiotic, and felt better in a matter of days. But recently, it’s been looking more and more like there will come a day when this can no longer happen. This is because of antibiotic resistant bacteria commonly known as “superbugs.” According to an NPR broadcast from Richard Harris, one superbug, called pseudomonas, resides in the host permanently as most antibiotics are ineffective to it. The broadcast also reported that gonorrhea, along with other very common bacteria, are now even more antibiotic-resistant. This is the scariest part to me. What will happen if we can’t even treat some of the most common bacterial infections that affect people every day? It will be as if we were back in the days when we did not have antibiotics at all.
So is there a plan to stop the fast progression of antibiotic resistance? Scientists are currently coming up with experimental ideas of how to fight back against antibiotic resistance. Some of these ideas include prescribing smaller doses, using multidrug combinations, or switching the kind of drug used every 12 to 24 hours so the drug does not have time to become resistant (Harris). I think these tactics are worth exploring, especially since things will just continue to get worse if we keep abusing antibiotics the way that we are. Antibiotics are just another thing that we take for granted in this day and age. We’re too spoiled!
Another big reason for growing antibiotic resistance is due to the farming industry. According to an article from CNN Health, farms often give their livestock antibiotics in order to make them fatter and produce more meat to sell, and fifteen of America’s fast food chains were given “F” ratings for their use of food products with antibiotics. I’m sure many people don’t even think about the fact that they are consuming antibiotics and contributing to a huge problem when they chow down on a Big Mac. It’s pretty gross and underhanded that the farming industry is allowed to do this, and there should be some sort of crackdown on the heavy use of antibiotics like this. Save us from the Antibiotic Resistance Apocalypse!
Morgan's Microbiology 