Resistant Bacteria as a Result from the Overuse of Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines designed to prevent or kill bacteria; they have no effect on viruses.
The misuse or overuse of antibiotics leads to a process known as antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve and develop mechanisms that reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of antibiotics.
The survival of these resilient bacteria results in a strain of resistant bacteria multiplies and spreads, causing more severe infections.
These resistant bacteria are often harder to treat, requiring higher doses or alternative medications, some of which may have more severe side effects.
Overuse of antibiotics also results in the “natural selection” process, where resistant bacteria survive to pass on their resistant traits to their offspring, while antibiotics kill off the non-resistant bacteria.
The consequence of this is that diseases caused by the antibiotic-resistant bacteria become virtually impossible to treat, leading to increased mortality and morbidity rates.
To minimise antibiotic resistance, it’s important to only use antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional, and to properly complete the prescribed course of antibiotics.
Additionally, the development of new antibiotics is another approach being used to combat and overcome antibiotic resistance.
It’s also essential to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria through good hygiene practises like thorough handwashing, and safe food preparation.
Vaccinations can also help prevent the spread of bacterial and viral diseases, thereby reducing the demand for antibiotics.
The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a global concern and its potential impact on treatment of bacterial diseases has led to it being called a global health crisis.

Remember, detailed understanding of these points and having a few examples at your fingertips can help you in your revision for Disease, Defence and Treatment module.