“The Last Resort,” by Maryn McKenna is an article about antibiotic resistance. It explains the increase of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae also known as CREs which are a class of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. CREs have been described as “a risk as serious as terrorism”(McKenna, 2013, p.394). CREs can cause bladder, lung, and blood infections that can develop into life-threatening septic shock. Unfortunately, it kills half of the people who contract it. This bacteria is resistant even to
fact that antibiotics have been introduced to the bacteria, it has been able to evolve, making the infection immune to typical treatments. In order to defeat the mutated bacteria, scientists have had to create stronger medications that are toxic to the infectious bacteria, as well as the human body. This has left researchers desperate to find a new treatment that can adapt as quickly as the bacteria can mutate. In developing areas in the world, such as South East Asia, antibiotics are sold
Antibiotic resistance is a major topic talked about today in the scientific and medical communities because of the increased rate it is occurring. Antibiotics are medicines used to treat foreign bacteria in the body. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin, when testing the bacteria pathogen Staphylococcus aureus; the mold in his lab was capable of killing bacteria. Taking too many antibiotics can destroy the microbes in the gut, which help fight the bacteria in the
While antibiotics and vaccines have numerous well-known benefits associated with prevention and recovery, what unfamiliar beneficial effects do they contribute to society? When it comes to the topic of antibiotic and vaccine use, most people will readily agree that medical treatment will greatly reduce the chance of getting ill and will improve recovery time. This agreement usually ends, however, on the question: Are antibiotics and vaccines necessary to maintain a healthy society? Whereas some are
Antibiotics are prescribed at more than 100 million adult ambulatory care visits annually, and 41% of these prescriptions are for respiratory conditions. However, this is not typically the best treatment and increase the chances of negative effects such as antibiotic resistance, increased cost, and adverse effects. Antibiotics are also responsible for the largest number of medication-related adverse events, implicated in 1 of every 5 visits to emergency departments for adverse drug reactions. The
Antibiotic Stewardship "Antibiotics continue to be powerful weapons to fight infection, but inappropriate use makes the treatment of microbial infections increasingly challenging. Successful antibiotic stewardship can help mitigate the development of antimicrobial resistance and lead to better outcomes (MLO, 2016)." The first antibiotic introduced and produced in the United States was penicillin in the 1940's. From 1940 to 1960 more than 20 new classes of antibiotics were introduced, and resistant
Since the 1940’s antibiotics have greatly decreased death and illness due to infectious diseases. These drugs have had a significant impact on patient’s health when used correctly and appropriately. (CDC, 2013) However sometimes they are overused. When these antibiotics are overused, or used for diseases in which they are not necessary the infectious organism could become antibiotic resistant. Antibiotic resistance is defined as, the effect of microbes transforming in ways that
ability to manufacture new antibiotics that would target these resistive organisms. The problem is not only confined to the United States but affects people globally. According to Bartlett, Gilbert, & Spellberg (2013) this is being considered a
Seven Ways to Preserve the Miracle of Antibiotics, stated that the discoverer of penicillin – one of the world’s first antibiotics, Sir Alexander Fleming, raised the issue regarding antibiotic misuse and overuse in 1946 when he told a warning that “the public will demand [the drug and] … then will begin an era … of abuses.” However, Fleming’s warning was neglected. As a result, antibiotics’ efficacy are now endangered which owes to the rapid escalation of antibiotic resistance along with equally accelerated
Antibiotics are an integral part of life today, without them the quality of life on Earth would be much different. Antibiotics are any substance that inhibits microbes, such as bacteria, by slowing down its growth or killing it. This is accomplished by targeting specific cellular processes or mechanisms of the microbe and altering or inhibiting them. Antibiotics occur naturally and are abundantly present in the environment. A large variety of microorganisms produce antibiotics, for example fungi