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Post Antibiotic Era
multiple articles. In 2016, a 70-year-old Nevada woman was infected by bacteria that was
resistant to 26 different antibiotics in the United States. The world is constantly evolving, even at
a microscopic level. Over the past years, the number of people infected by antibiotic resistant
bacteria has increased. The amount of cases has caused the Centers of Disease Control and
Prevention to state the human race is now in the post-antibiotic era as of 2013. Each year in the
United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to
antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections
(CDC.gov). Antibiotics revolutionized the field of medicine but now as they slowly become
ineffective, certain medical procedures will become problematic. The increased rate of antibiotic
resistant bacterial and fungal infections is caused by the overuse of antibiotics in livestock, and
Antibiotics feed to livestock are a perfect breeding ground to create antibiotic resistant
bacteria. Livestock are feed antibiotics to help gain weight faster for consumer consumption and
to prevent disease among the animals. However, in the process, farmers are creating stronger
bacteria strains. The antibiotics are given through the water supply in both poultry and swine
production (National Research Council). CDC estimates that more than 400,000 U.S.
residents become ill with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant foodborne bacteria every year
(CDC.gov). The resistant bacteria created can be found in animal feces and around the animals
body. Humans touching the animal can contract diseases that way. Also if the feces get into the
water supply for plants then the plants become carriers of harmful bacteria. A study in Ghana
Lorenzo Munoz
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revealed multidrug resistant Campylobacter species in the fecal content and carcasses of healthy
livestock animals in Ghana indicating possible risks of infection to people through consumption
of contaminated animal products or by direct contact with animals. Moreover, high levels of
resistance observed among the Campylobacter species to the common and cheap antibiotics raise
uncertainties about their effectiveness in the treatment of animal and human diseases in the study
region (Karikari). Campylobacter is a food-borne illness that causes diarrhea, vomiting and
nausea.
Doctors prescribing antibiotics for the wrong reasons contributes to antibiotic resistant
bacterial infections. Antibiotics are not the correct choice for all infections. For example, most
sore throats, cough and colds, flu or acute sinusitis are viral in origin (not bacterial) and do not
need an antibiotic. These viral infections are self-limiting, meaning that your own immune
system will usually kick in and fight the virus off. In fact, using antibiotics for viral infections
can increase the risk for antibiotic resistance, lower the options for future treatments if an
antibiotic is needed, and put a patient at risk for side effects and extra cost due to unnecessary
drug treatment (drugs.com). Patients need to be honest with their symptoms to help medical
instead of a specific antibiotic for a certain infection. Antibiotics are among the most commonly
prescribed drugs used in human medicine and can be lifesaving drugs. However, up to 50% of
the time antibiotics are not optimally prescribed, often done so when not needed, incorrect
dosing or duration (CDC.gov). The lack of strength from the broad-spectrum antibiotic
strengthens the bacteria. All it takes is one bacteria among the group to survive the dose. Soon
after the one survivor multiples and the infection continues. David Leroux contracted
Lorenzo Munoz
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clostridium difficle. David, a paramedic, contracted the bacteria while consulting at a hospital in
China. When he returned to the States the doctor put him on an IV of Ciprofloxacin, a broad-
spectrum antibiotic for his diarrhea. Instead of fighting the C.Diff, the ciprofloxacin cleared out
the rest of the bacteria living in his gastrointestinal tract, the good healthy kind. Thereby
allowing the C.Diff to go from infecting part of his intestines to colonizing the whole thing
(Anderson). In Davids case the dangers of a wrong prescription caused him the lose most of his
intestines. Surprisingly enough, most superbugs are contracted at hospitals. Patients staying
inside hospitals for extended visits for a different aliment are most susceptible to antibiotic
resistant bacteria. The solution to slow down bacterias rapid resistance varies.
Drug-resistant fungal infections arent as common but they are still something to worry
about. As 2017, Nearly three dozen people in the United States have been diagnosed with a
deadly and highly drug-resistant fungal infection since federal health officials first warned U.S.
clinicians last June to be on the lookout for the emerging pathogen that has been spreading
around the world (Sun). Unlike bacteria and viruses, Fungi can live on surfaces for months.
The fungus will continue to thrive without medication capable of killing it. Fungi is treated
differently compared to bacteria, but both can develop resistance to drugs. Unfortunately, people
who are at high risk for infection are in an unlikely place. individuals who have been in
intensive care for a long time or who are on ventilators or have central line catheters inserted into
a large vein (Sun). Most people would think hospitals are the safest place against disease. Its
the exact opposite. Fungi and bacteria that are able to survive in a hospital are top tier and can
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There are different ways to solve the global bacteria crisis. Collectively the entire planet
most work together. However, the solutions can be costly. First, new antibiotics can be found in
nature like the Amazon rainforest or in deep caves. Life-saving compounds can be hidden in
plants or microorganisms around the world. With countries disregarding global conservation
efforts, finding hidden future medicines could be very difficult. Second, antibiotics feed to
animals must to be reduced. The reduction of antibiotics could cause the amount of disease
among animals to increase but having livestock living in a cleaner environment will counter
those effects. Governments should set limits on how much antibiotics can be given in a certain
time. In fiscal year 2016, Congress appropriated $160 million for CDC to fight AR. With these
improving national infrastructure to detect, respond, and contain resistant infections across
healthcare settings and communities (CDC.gov). Antibiotics should only be given to animals
suffering from illness in regulated does. Lastly, doctors need to be more cautious with their
thorough diagnosis to make sure a specific antibiotic is required to help the patient. Patients need
to take responsibility as well. They need to take the antibiotics they are given and dispose of
them when they are no longer sick. The dosage for that particular time was meant for stopping
the current illness not future ones. The problem began with the overuse of antibiotics.
Moderation is the key to prevent further damage. Above all else, people need to create cleaner
habits. More hand washing, using protection during intercourse, and developing a healthier diet
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Antibiotic resistant bacteria are a very important issue. The discovery of antibiotics was a
blessing that soon became a curse. The worlds abuse of antibiotics will be the downfall of
humanity if not addressed. There are multiple solutions to reduce the problem created like
feeding the livestock antibiotics only when they are sick and doctors prescribing the right
antibiotic at the right time. Like global warming, one nation cant fix everything. Everyone must
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Works Cited
Aminov, Rustam I. A Brief History of the Antibiotic Era: Lessons Learned and Challenges for
Anderson, Ben. Watch Our HBO Episode About the Search for Powerful Anti-Bacterial
2017.
Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for
Karikari, Akosua B., et al. "Antibiotic Resistance of Campylobacter Recovered from Faeces and
Carcasses of Healthy Livestock." Biomed Research International, 18 Jan. 2017, pp. 1-9.
EBSCOhost, doi:10.1155/2017/4091856
National Research Council (US) Committee to Study the Human Health Effects of
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Podolsky, Scott H., et al. "History Teaches Us That Confronting Antibiotic Resistance Requires
Stronger Global Collective Action." Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, vol. 43,