Change Your World Week Winter 2022 (Archived)

In a world that is ever-changing, so too are the microscopic organisms that make up the world of microbiology. Bacteria and fungi make up a large part of this world and although it may be unintentional, they are developing immunity to the medications we commonly use to fight them and creating a potentially deadly situation. When the medicines that are used to kill these organisms stop working, they continue to grow and cause serious or fatal results. "Antibiotic resistance has the potential to affect people at any stage of life, as well as the healthcare, veterinary, and agriculture industries. This makes it one of the world’s most urgent public health problems." (CDC)

When these organisms accidentally develop immunity to a drug or medication and are allowed to flourish in a host, modern medicine struggles to keep up with getting people healthy. According to a 2019 report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.8 million people were infected by antibiotic-resistant pathogens, causing 35,000 deaths. (CDC) When we or someone else is infected with these resistant organisms and we fail to use proper hygiene like correctly washing our hands or covering our sneezes, we spread these pathogens around. It is important to do our part in this fight against a deadly enemy that we are only just keeping up with. Modern medicine and the science community are doing what they can to develop new antibiotics, but as evident by this story from ABC News, the "superbugs" can still have the upper hand. 

When we pump our animals full of antibiotics to keep our food healthy before its food, ignore our doctors' orders and not take the prescribed course of treatment, or even take medications unnecessarily, we are adding to the ever-growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Bacteria are an ever-present and ever-important part of the cycle of life, but when the opportunity rises, bacteria will thrive.

With the seriousness of resistant superbugs looming at our doorstep, there is hope! Education is key to understanding and combating this problem. World agencies and the science community are always working to develop new medications and alternative treatments to fight resistant bacteria. The fight is already underway by the health community and although progress is being made, it is far from won.

 There are many ways to help slow the spread of resistant bacteria. (World Health Organization)

 1. Hand hygiene, especially for healthcare workers is important because this is the number one way we will stop the spread of these pathogens.

2. If you're sick, don't go anywhere you don't have to, and ensure you're doctor is prescribing the medicine you need.

3. REMEMBER. When you start feeling better, that doesn't mean the microbe has left your body, and do not stop taking your medication! Stopping antibiotic treatments early kills the bacteria not resistant, and when you stop the medicine early, resistant bacteria are left alive and allowed to flourish without competition.

4. Support food manufacturers that don't use antibiotics in their meats and maintain clean facilities for their animals.

5. Contact your lawmakers and let them know how important this issue is. Support funding for research for new therapy and proper disposal of medications.

Disposal of medications is important and if thrown away with regular garbage can contaminate local water sources. These are just a few of the ways society can help stop the spread of resistant organisms. If this problem is to be faced and an impact to be truly made, it will take everyone, including YOU!

We all need to do our part to help stop the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Our daily behaviors have the biggest influences over the spread, and are the easiest changes. Be mindful of how we spread infection. Cover our coughs and sneezes. Wash your hands properly to avoid transmitting bacteria from your hands to surfaces or another person. By your food from producers that don't use antibiotics unnecessarily in their animals. Below is a way for you to make a commitment to make a change, please answer the poll below. Most importantly, educate and spread the information, not infections. Lastly, the lawmakers we put into office play a major part in the laws and regulations that govern and support this important issue. Contact your local representative and tell them how important the issue is to you, by clicking this link: Your Local Representative

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services. (13 December 2021) About Antibiotic Resistance. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html

Mohney, G. What You Need to Know About The Deadly Superbug Infection Resistant To All FDA-Approved Drugs. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/deadly-superbug-infection-resistant-fda-approved-antibiotics/story?id=44806424

Wilke, C. Antibiotics Pollute Many of the Worlds Rivers. Science News for Students. http:// https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/antibiotics-pollute-many-worlds-rivers

World Health Organization. Antibiotic Resistance. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance