Resistant Bacteria as a Result of Over Use of Antibiotics

Resistant bacteria refers to strains of bacteria that become able to survive despite the presence of antibiotics. They have developed resistance to the drugs that are normally lethal to them.
The overuse of antibiotics is a key factor that contributes to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Using antibiotics frequently or inappropriately allows bacteria to evolve and learn how to bypass the drugs.
When infected with bacteria, taking a full course of antibiotics is crucial. Stopping the treatment prematurely might kill only the weak bacteria, leaving the strong, potentially resistant ones alive.
The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming has been identified as another problem. The dose of antibiotics given to animals isn’t always enough to kill bacteria completely, leading to the evolution of resistant strains.
The concept of natural selection applies to bacteria as well. Young bacteria that survive antibiotics are resistant and proliferate, spreading resistance to future generations.
Numerous infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and gonorrhoea are becoming harder to treat with standard antibiotics due to the rise of resistant strains.
The development of new antibiotics is slow; therefore, it’s imperative to use existing antibiotics wisely to slow down the emergence of resistance.
Actions to combat antibiotic resistance include appropriating use, infection prevention, tracking resistant bacteria, developing new antibiotics and improving international cooperation.
Bacteria can develop resistance through a number of mechanisms, including changing their outer structure to prevent the antibiotic from entering, developing ways to neutralise the antibiotic, or via plasmids, which are small circular pieces of DNA that can be shared between bacteria and provide resistance.
Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat and must be addressed with urgency. It reduces the effectiveness of treatment for bacterial infections, prolonging illness, increasing healthcare costs, and increasing mortality rates.
Simple everyday measures for preventing bacterial infections include regular handwashing, keeping vaccinations up to date, and using antibiotics as directed by a healthcare professional.