The Dangers of Superbugs: Understanding Antibiotic Resistance and How to Protect Yourself

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, commonly referred to as "superbugs," sound scary and for good reason. These bacteria are often difficult to control, even with multiple drugs, and can be especially deadly each year in the United States. At least 2 million people acquire serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics designed to treat those infections, and at least 23,000 die as a direct result of these antibiotic-resistant infections.

The existence of superbugs is a concern because it means that even when we take an antibiotic, most bad bacteria may be killed off, but some bacteria might survive and evolve so that next time they encounter that drug, it might not work against them. This is the birth of an antibiotic-resistant bacterium which now lives in our system. The resistant bacteria can then be spread by shaking hands, kissing, or even when we touch surfaces that others have touched, allowing them to become resistant to multiple antibiotics.

These resistant bacteria can cause infections if the right conditions arise, such as if we get a cut or have a weakened immune system. If the same or a similar antibiotic is used to treat that infection, it might not have an effect, and this is what is known as a Super Bug when antibiotics are no longer effective. In such cases, our condition can worsen, and our risk of dying is greatly increased.

Consumers play a key role in the creation and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and there are several ways we can take action to protect ourselves. One way is not to push for antibiotics if we don't have a bacterial infection. Instead, we should ask about other treatments for viral infections like colds and the flu, which are not helped by antibiotics.

If we do suspect that bacteria are the cause of our symptoms and our doctor prescribes an antibiotic, there are also ways to minimize the risk of developing a Super Bug. For example, if we have mild symptoms and our doctor prescribes an antibiotic, we should ask if we could wait a few days before filling the prescription to see if we get better on our own. We should also ask for targeted drugs instead of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which may kill many types of bacteria but can lead to higher rates of antibiotic resistance and infections.

Furthermore, using antibiotic creams sparingly and only if dirt remains in a wound after using soap and water is essential to avoid resistant bacteria. Antibiotics applied to the skin can lead to resistant bacteria, so we should avoid these products whenever possible. Finally, avoiding infections in the first place by staying up-to-date on vaccines, washing hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water, and avoiding antibacterial hand soaps and cleaners is crucial to preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

By taking these precautions, we can reduce our risk of developing a Super Bug and help prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It's essential to continue in-depth coverage of this topic to understand how it pertains to our lives. For continuing in-depth coverage of antibiotic resistance and its implications for consumers, be sure to check out Consumer Reports' website.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ensuper bugs the name alone sound scary and for good reason they're bacteria that often can't be controlled even with multiple drugs and that means they can be especially deadly each year in the United States at least 2 million people acquire serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics designed to treat those infections and at least 23,000 die as a direct result of these antibiotic resistant infections everyone has bacteria in and on their bodies after you take an antibiotic most bad bacteria are killed off but some bacteria might survive and evolve so that next time they encounter that drug it might not work against them this is the birth of an antibiotic resistant bacteria which now lives in your system this resistant bacteria can then be spread by shaking hands kissing or even when you touch surfaces others then touch as the bacteria circulate they can become resistant to multiple antibiotics those resistant bacteria can cause an infection if the right conditions arise such as if you get a cut or have a weakened immune system now if the same or a similar antibiotic is used to treat that infection it might not have an effect when doctors use several different types of antibiotics and they also don't work you've got a Super Bug when antibiotics are no longer effective your condition can worsen and your your risk of dying is greatly increased consumers play a key role in the creation and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria here are some suggestions to follow don't push for antibiotics if you don't have a bacterial infection don't insist on antibiotics colds and the flu are viral infections for example that aren't helped with antibiotics instead ask about other treatments f it off on your own if bacteria are the cause and your symptoms are mild and your doctor prescribes an antibiotic ask if you could wait a few days before you fill the prescription to see if you get better on your own ask for targeted drugs too often a type of antibiotic called broadspectrum are prescribed these drugs May kill many types of bacteria which can lead to higher rates of antibiotic resistance and infections ask if the use of a narrow spectrum antibiotic will work use antibiotic creams sparingly and only if dirt remains in a wound after using soap and water antibiotics applied to skin can lead to resistant bacteria avoid infections in the first place this means staying up to date on vaccines washing hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water and avoid antibacterial hand soaps and cleaners as they too can promote resistance for continuing in-depth coverage of antibiotic resistance and how it pertains to your life be sure to check out consumerreports.org superbugsuper bugs the name alone sound scary and for good reason they're bacteria that often can't be controlled even with multiple drugs and that means they can be especially deadly each year in the United States at least 2 million people acquire serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics designed to treat those infections and at least 23,000 die as a direct result of these antibiotic resistant infections everyone has bacteria in and on their bodies after you take an antibiotic most bad bacteria are killed off but some bacteria might survive and evolve so that next time they encounter that drug it might not work against them this is the birth of an antibiotic resistant bacteria which now lives in your system this resistant bacteria can then be spread by shaking hands kissing or even when you touch surfaces others then touch as the bacteria circulate they can become resistant to multiple antibiotics those resistant bacteria can cause an infection if the right conditions arise such as if you get a cut or have a weakened immune system now if the same or a similar antibiotic is used to treat that infection it might not have an effect when doctors use several different types of antibiotics and they also don't work you've got a Super Bug when antibiotics are no longer effective your condition can worsen and your your risk of dying is greatly increased consumers play a key role in the creation and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria here are some suggestions to follow don't push for antibiotics if you don't have a bacterial infection don't insist on antibiotics colds and the flu are viral infections for example that aren't helped with antibiotics instead ask about other treatments f it off on your own if bacteria are the cause and your symptoms are mild and your doctor prescribes an antibiotic ask if you could wait a few days before you fill the prescription to see if you get better on your own ask for targeted drugs too often a type of antibiotic called broadspectrum are prescribed these drugs May kill many types of bacteria which can lead to higher rates of antibiotic resistance and infections ask if the use of a narrow spectrum antibiotic will work use antibiotic creams sparingly and only if dirt remains in a wound after using soap and water antibiotics applied to skin can lead to resistant bacteria avoid infections in the first place this means staying up to date on vaccines washing hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water and avoid antibacterial hand soaps and cleaners as they too can promote resistance for continuing in-depth coverage of antibiotic resistance and how it pertains to your life be sure to check out consumerreports.org superbug\n"