The Antibiotic Crisis

Antibiotic crisis bigger than Aids as common infections will kill, WHO warns

Common infections and minor scratches could soon kill because antibiotics are becoming useless against new superbugs, World Health Organisation warns

A crisis is looming that may even become a catastrophe for human kind. The introduction of antibiotics revolutionised health care the world over for many decades. Health care practitioners and patients have come to rely on antibiotics to cure many potential life threatening infections. In the process we have lost sight of the fact that for many the real problems start, not with the infection but, with unsuitable diet and lifestyle.

Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing and spreading.

Antibiotics aren't effective against viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, most coughs and sore throats.

Many mild bacterial infections can also be cleared by your immune system without using antibiotics, so they aren't routinely prescribed.

It is important that antibiotics are prescribed and taken correctly.
If your medical doctor does prescribe an antibiotic for you, make sure you take all of the medicine, even if you feel better after a few days. This reduces the chance that there will be any bacteria left in your body that could potentially become resistant to antibiotics.

Never take antibiotics without a prescription. If, for whatever reason, you have antibiotics leftover from a time when you were previously sick, do not take them unless your doctor tells you it's okay. The leftover antibiotics may not work on whatever is making you sick. If they do work, there probably will not be enough leftover medicine to completely kill all the bacteria in your body. Not only will you not get better, but this increases the chance that the bacteria will become resistant to antibiotics.

In many parts of the world unscrupulous sellers of antibiotics will provide you with antibiotics with no concerns for your actual ailment. You can go online and buy any antibiotic with no medical knowledge of the product, its dosage, correct use, efficacy, and possible side effects.

See our article on health scams at: Cartoon illustration.

The rise of the 'superbug'

Reliance on antibiotics and, more probably, their inappropriate use and misuse has led to what is called the 'Antibiotic Resistance Cycle'. This has led to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. This in turn has led to the rise of the 'superbug' that is difficult if not impossible to treat effectively, for example methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today. Without effective antibiotics, many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, basic operations and chemotherapy all rely on access to antibiotics that work. Find out what you can do to slow down antibiotic resistance.

The result is that we are all at risk from infections that have been routinely treated as minor ailments. This is especially true for the elderly, very young and those with complex medical problems and conditions.

No new antibiotics have been developed for over thirty years so those that we have are becoming less effective. The honest medical community, including the World Health Organisation, are becoming increasing alarmed at the problem of antibiotic resistance and the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

"This is not an abstract problem. We have a big problem now and it is going to get bigger".
Dr Keiji Fukuda, WHO's Assistant Director-General for Health Security

A report to the WHO by Dr Keiji Fukudo, Assistant Director-General for Health Security, raised many alarming facts about antibiotic resistance and the use, and misuse, of antibiotic medicines.

Antibiotic Resistance Cycle

What can we ordinary people do?

We all, at some time in our lives, get bacterial infections. Most of these will be minor infections that, given time, your body can deal with. You can assist your body in fighting infections by ensuring you practice good hygiene - wash your hands with soap and water (especially after using the restroom, coming into contact with feces, for example, from a pet or from changing a baby's diaper, and before eating).

There are many natural foods that can help to provide your body with more defence against bacteria that you can find very easily. However bear in mind that we recommend using only fresh natural foods. Some of these foods are Garlic and onions.

Read more at: Edukational Restaurant website

Some infections however will need medical intervention. If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic for you,

Make sure you take all of the medicine, even if you feel better after a few days
Never take antibiotics without a prescription
If, for whatever reason, you have antibiotics leftover from a time when you were previously sick, do not take them unless your doctor tells you it is okay. The leftover antibiotics may not work on whatever is making you sick. If they do work, there will probably not be enough leftover medicine to completely kill all the bacteria in your body. Not only will you not get better, but this increases the chance that the bacteria will become resistant to antibiotics.
Do not take antibiotics for viral illnesses, such as for colds or the flu
Do not share or take antibiotics prescribed for another person.

Comment:

We can all do our part in the fight to save antibiotics. We can ensure that we are correctly informed on health, healthcare, diet, nutrition in foods, and healthy lifestyle.

Health:

Do not follow the self styled health gurus and the dishonest food industry; do not take unnecessary vitamin or diet supplements, do not eat junk food or drink high sugar drinks;

Healthcare:

Always practice good hygiene in the home and at work;

Diet:

Ensure that you are eating a balanced healthy diet of fresh natural foods;

Nutrition:

Become your own guru on nutritional benefits of food by seeking reliable honest information;

Lifestyle:

Follow, in line with your health condition, an active healthy lifestyle by, for example, brisk walking, swimming, running, or active sport.

References:

Antibiotic crisis bigger than Aids as common infections will kill WHO warns

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Antibiotics-penicillins/Pages/Introduction.aspx

CDC Warning: Antibiotic Resistance at Critical Levels