https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0 How do antibacterials and misuse of antibiotics create superbugs? en-us 2016-07-18 04:00:28 UTC 2025-11-19 01:35:34 UTC hello@padlet.com kbraun11 https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116537599 Check out the links below to learn more about how "Superbugs" - bacterial infections that are highly resistant to antibiotics - are created.
CDC sounds alarm on deadly, untreatable superbugs
Behind the scenes of a U.S. superbug discovery that made headlines around the world
Superbugs: The $100 Trillion Risk
Discuss these articles and try to come up with a solution to the Superbug problem. Use the following questions as a guide: 
Is it possible to undo the damage created by misuse of antibiotics?
Can we reverse the creation of Superbugs? 
Does reducing use of antibacterials and antibiotics change how superbugs are formed? 
Does knowing how superbugs are formed make you rethink some of your choices? Are there changes you want to make in your life now that you know how Superbugs are formed?]]> 2016-07-18 04:03:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116537599 https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116706160 The link below gives some additional info and great statistics illustrating the over prescription of antibiotics. Through research, I've found that when there are more antibiotics prescribed, the superbugs become somewhat immune to the disease fighting agent. There are some bacteria that are totally unaffected by antibiotics. I don't think it is possible to undo the damage created by the misuse of antibiotics. I think the only way to solve this crisis is to make doctors more aware of the rate in which they are prescribing these antibiotics. A superbug will likely become immune to every new antibiotic, that's just evolution. I feel as if it is about the prescribers of these medicines that are most at fault for the issues concerning superbugs and the inability to treat diseases.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266998.php

-Matt Scheidle]]> 2016-07-20 16:52:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116706160 kbraun11 https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116737755 Matt,
While you are correct in the idea that making doctors understand that the rate they prescribe antibiotics is an important factor in the rate that Superbugs are appearing, it's not always the doctor's fault. Until recently, many common antibiotics were available without prescription in India. India is one of the world's biggest hotspots for superbugs, and multidrug resistant strains of bacteria. A big part of the issue is that it was only in 2014 that prescriptions were required by law. Even more recently, new laws were instated to restrict use of prescriptions and lower usage rates of antibiotics in both humans and animals. If this is what it is like in India, what are the chances that this is a similar trend in other third world countries? How likely is self medication going to stop? For that matter, antibiotic resistance can also come up from misuse of drugs on the patient's behalf. What steps would be necessary to ensure that continued misuse and overuse don't continue to happen from the patient's use? Check out these links to see just how detrimental lack of control over antibiotics can be.
Gov't to curb prescription and sale of antibiotics to combat drug resistance
Antibiotics, Syrups need Prescriptions
Antibiotics : Misuse puts you and others at risk
Kimberly]]> 2016-07-21 03:53:37 UTC https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116737755 https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116782872 The idea of a superbug itself is very scary itself, but the fact that superbugs can spread at alarming rates is even more frightening! According to the article "CDC sounds alarm on deadly, untreatable superbugs", most of the superbugs have been found in hospitals as well as rehabilitation facilities.  It may be difficult to undo the damage that has been done already by superbugs, but going forward, changes can be made to diminish the spread of superbugs.  In the article "Superbugs: The $100 Trillion Risk", the author states that the "aggressive use of antibiotics in the meat production industry has accelerated the development of superbugs".  In addition, it may be advisable to reduce the amount of antibiotics that are administered to a patient a well.  When a body develops an immunity to an antibiotic, it becomes less receptive to it, allowing the superbug to take over. Since there is genetics involved with the creation of the superbug according to "Behind the scenes of a U.S. superbug discovery that made headlines around the world", it may be difficult to reverse the creation of superbugs.  However, by reducing the amount of antibiotics used, superbugs will be unable to spread at rapid rates because of the body's receptiveness to the drug.  Knowing about superbugs totally makes me want to change some of my personal habits.  I wash my hands regularly, especially when I come back home from being out.  However, after learning about superbugs, I am more driven to make sure that I do not touch my face or bite my nails often, which will ultimately lessen the spread of germs.  After reading about superbugs, the health risks that they post, and the possibility for them to be unstoppable, I am even more ready to take care of my health and myself.

-Uma Mahalingam]]> 2016-07-21 22:03:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116782872 kbraun11 https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116795776 Uma,
I am glad to hear that learning about superbugs you want to change your lifestyle to help prevent the spread of germs. However, I think you also need to take into account some other factors. While touching your face or biting your nails can cause the spread of germs, the body has a pretty good immune system. The body's natural defenses should keep most germs at bay. Germs are quite literally all over you, and there's no easy way to get rid of them, especially on your person. Hand washing, while good, is also a small part of the problem. Antibacterial hand soaps contain drugs which can select for antibiotic resistance. These soaps often have as small an effect on hand microbes as non-antibacterial soaps. A study by the Aiellio, Larson, and Levy show that Tricolsan (the most commonly available antibacterial) has little effect on bacteria as normal soap does. It also showed that Tricolsan resistance could be adapted to become resistance to multiple other drugs and can be found in multiple species. The FDA also recommends that the use of antibacterial soaps be revised, and in particular the use of the antibacterial Triclosan. Triclosan is found in almost everything, including clothing, toys, furniture, toothpasts, and cosmetics. It can also be found in kitchenware and soaps, including body washes. While there are no studies about the hazardous effects of triclosan, there have been studies which show that Triclosan may be able to alter hormone regulation. These studies have been conducted in animals and it isn't known yet if it does alter hormone regulation in humans, but other studies have shown that it contributes to the antibiotic resistance of bacteria. How important is it that we revise our views on antibacterials as well as antibiotics?
FDA Taking Closer Look at 'Antibacterial' Soap
Triclosan : What Consumers Should Know
Consumer Antibacterial Soaps : Effective or Just Risky?]]> 2016-07-22 02:15:37 UTC https://padlet.com/kbraun11/59fb3bulu2d0/wish/116795776