Entry #6 The Rise of the Superbugs

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global problem. As infectious bacteria evolve, growing stronger than the medications used to fight them, people are now vulnerable to infections that haven't been a threat to human health since the discovery of antibiotics.

In "New 'Superbugs' Plaguing Hospitals", Katie Couric reports that new classes of the deadly Superbugs are becoming a growing threat around the country that has put doctors and hospitals on edge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ov6gFbeac

1. What do you mean, "superbug"?

It's not a medical term, but it represents a class of dangerous microbes, generally bacteria, that have mutated in a way that help them to resist the medications we most frequently use to treat them. This is why superbugs are also often referred to as drug-resistant or antibiotic-resistant. They've managed to outsmart our best line of defense against the infections they cause.

2. Why are we hearing more about superbugs now?

Infections seem to be on the rise. At least 2 million people become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria a year in the U.S., and an estimated 700,000 die from such an infection worldwide. Without additional methods of treating superbugs, that number could reach 10 million by 2050. 

3. How much is the average healthy person at risk?

Drug-resistant infections are more common in hospital or other health-care settings. People who are already seeking medical attention may have weakened immune systems that leave them more susceptible to infections. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections have only been seen in a health-care setting, USA Today reported. But others can occur outside of hospitals. MRSA, for example, one of the most well-known drug-resistant superbugs, is on the decline overall, although increasing outside of hospitals.

CDC Warning Antibiotic Resistant Super Bugs Kill 23,000 People Annually!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGZonx1GrCI

4. What about antibiotics in food?

Yes, the germs that contaminate our food can also become drug-resistant. Antibiotics are sometimes given to feed animals to cause them to gain weight quickly, which could contribute to growing antibiotic-resistance. In fact, a particular strain of drug-resistant E. coli seems to be causing more urinary tract infections than in the past, and some researchers believe chickens are the source. Eating chicken carrying drug-resistant E. coli delivers the bacteria to a person's gut and could eventually end up causing an infection -- and indeed, studies show genetic similarities between the E. coli found in chicken and in people with UTIs, Everyday Health reported. Others argue this E. coli could originate in humans but make its way to animals through the sewage system.

5. So what should we do to protect ourselves?

Because there are limited treatment options (because these infections are resistant to antibiotics), prevention is the best measure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge patients concerned about drug-resistant infections to stay up-to-date on vaccines, to help you stay healthier overall and out of medical facilities in general. But perhaps most importantly, you can avoid unnecessary treatment with antibiotics. Stop taking antibiotics when they are not needed. Remember: Antibiotics do not fight viruses, so please do not try to bully your doctor into writing you a prescription when you have the flu.
The simplest thing that everybody can do is: Wash Your Hands!