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Post Antibiotic Era

Nevada woman dies of superbug resistant to all available US antibiotics headlines

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

unnecessary prescriptions giving to patients.

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
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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

professionals make informed decisions. Also, doctors prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic

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
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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

easily prey upon susceptible patients.

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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

investments, CDC implemented the Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative, which is

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

prescriptions. Not every aliment is solved by a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Patients need a

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

to limit the spread of disease.

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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

contribute to help stop a future epidemic.

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Works Cited

Aminov, Rustam I. A Brief History of the Antibiotic Era: Lessons Learned and Challenges for

the Future. Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Research Foundation, 2010,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3109405/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2017.

Anderson, Ben. Watch Our HBO Episode About the Search for Powerful Anti-Bacterial

Compounds in the Jungle. Vice, www.vice.com/en_us/article/watch-our-hbo-episode-

about-the-search-for-powerful-anti-bacterial-compounds-in-the-jungle. Accessed 26 Mar.

2017.

Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Mar. 2017, www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/index.html.

Accessed 26 Mar. 2017.

Antibiotics: List of Common Antibiotics & Types. Drugs.com, Drugs.com,

www.drugs.com/article/antibiotics.html. Accessed 26 Mar. 2017.

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

Subtherapeutic Antibiotic Use in Animal Feeds. Antibiotics In Animal Feeds. The

Effects on Human Health of Subtherapeutic Use of Antimicrobials in Animal Feeds., U.S.

National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1980,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK216502/#ddd00236. Accessed 26 Mar. 2017.

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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,

Summer2015 Supplement s3, pp. 27-32. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/jlme.12271.