It
sounds
like
the
plot
of
a
sci
‐
fi
flick:
Through
the
misuse
of
antibiotics
and
other
factors,
some
forms
of
bacteria
have
mutated
and
become
resistant
to
all
known
antibiotics.
Coined
"superbugs"
by
the
media,
these
super
‐
strength
bacteria
threaten
to
become
so
potent,
they
pose
a
threat
to
all
of
us.
Can
these
fears
possibly
be
founded?
Rising
antibiotic
resistance
is
very
real,
due
primarily
to
the
enormous
amount
of
antibiotics
used
in
this
country,
says
Richard
Besser,
M.D.,
a
medical
epidemiologist
and
pediatrician
at
the
National
Center
for
Infectious
Diseases
at
the
Centers
for
Disease
Control
and
Prevention.
"There
are
a
number
of
studies
that
show
previous
antibiotic
use
as
the
biggest
risk
factor
of
developing
a
resistance
to
it,"
says
Dr.
Besser.
"The
CDC
reported
that
one
‐
third
of
the
one
hundred
ten
million
antibiotic
prescriptions
given
each
year
are
unneeded."
Unneeded
antibiotics
are
those
prescribed
for
viral
conditions—cold,
flu,
bronchitis,
and
some
forms
of
pneumonia—rather
than
bacterial
infections
such
as
ear
infections,
meningitis,
certain
types
of
skin
infections,
and
some
types
of
pneumonia.
Antibiotics
kill
only
bacteria,
not
viruses.
But
how
can
your
personal
prescription
have
global
ramifications?
"When
you
take
an
antibiotic,
it
kills
all
the
bacteria
sensitive
to
that
antibiotic—even
bacteria
that
are
nonproblematic,"
explains
Dr.
Besser.
"That
gives
antibiotic
‐
resistant
bacteria
free
reign
to
multiply
and
take
over
the
field.
You
are
now
colonized
with
resistant
bacteria,
and
if
they
cause
a
disease,
they
won't
respond
to
the
same
antibiotic
used
before."
Bacteria
that
are
resistant
to
one
antibiotic
tend
to
be
resistant
to
many,
thus
making
them
is
harder
to
fight.
Super
‐
resistant
strains
continue
to
increase
rapidly.
"If
we
could
keep
up
with
our
drug
development,
you
might
say,
'Who
cares?'
But
we're
not
able
to
keep
up.
Additionally,
antibiotics
have
negative
side
effects.
There's
this
idea
that
sterilization
is
the
ultimate
goal,
but
you
can't
really
do
that,
and
you
shouldn't,"
says
Dr.
Besser.
For
the
time
being,
he
suggests
these
measures
for
stemming
the
surge
of
super
‐
resistance.
1.
Know
Your
Cold.
Antibiotics
are
effective
against
bacterial
infections,
not
viruses.
Make
sure
you
are
not
taking
an
antibiotic
for
a
viral
condition.
2.
Question
authority.
If
your
doctor
recommends
an
antibiotic,
ask
him
if
he's
absolutely
sure
that
you
need
it.
If
he
says
"no"
or
"I'm
not
sure,"
ask
if
you
would
be
okay
without
it.
3.
Pop
them
properly.
of 00
Antibiotic Overload
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