Antibiotic Resistance 101 - How Antibiotic Misuse on Factory Farms Can Make You Sick discusses the ways in which antibiotics used in factory farms are making people sick. Antibiotics are often mixed with the food given to animals in order for them to grow faster and to prevent infections. Over time animals that have been fed this mixture develop antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can spread to farmers, farmworkers, meat plant workers, and the general population when handling or consuming raw meat. As a result, many people develop antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections which are no longer treated by common antibiotics. In addition, the article Nearby Livestock May Raise 'Superbug' Risk suggests that people who live near livestock are more at risk of picking up MRSA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a superbug. MRSA is difficult to treat and has become resistant to most antibiotics. MRSA used to be found primarily in health care type settings, however recently more and more cases have been seen in the community.
Many people use antimicrobial soaps and products thinking that they are effectively killing the germs that would otherwise make them sick. While this may be the case, these antimicrobial products also kill the good bacteria that our body naturally has, as discussed in Scientists Discover that Antimicrobial Wipes and Soaps May Be Making You (And Society) Sick. In fact, in studies with patients who were chronically sick, those who used antimicrobial products appeared to get more sick compared to those who were not chronically sick and used regular soap and water to wash their hands. What's the takeaway from all this? That washing our hands with soap and water is more than enough to get rid of the bacteria we acquire on a daily basis, and anything more than that might be doing more harm than good.
A similar dilemma can be seen in hospitals and other healthcare settings, where furnishings are often manufactured with antimicrobial coatings in hopes that this will reduce Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs). In the article Antimicrobials in Hospital Furnishings, they discuss the ways in which Hospital-acquired Infections are transmitted which include contact, droplet, airborne, fecal-oral, and vector-borne modes of transmission. In response to this, hospitals furnish their spaces with specialized furnishings containing antimicrobials, hoping to reduce the risk of infection among patients, staff, and visitors.
Antibiotics are life-saving medications used to treat diseases and other medical conditions, however, overuse and misuse of these medications can do more harm than good. Overtime both animals and humans that have been given antibiotics can develop a resistance to them, requiring a stronger dose every time in order for them to be effective in fighting disease. The best way to address this issue is to prevent the development of this type of bacteria in the first place, which would mean regulating the use of antibiotics in livestock for nontherapeutic uses.
A similar dilemma can be seen in hospitals and other healthcare settings, where furnishings are often manufactured with antimicrobial coatings in hopes that this will reduce Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs). In the article Antimicrobials in Hospital Furnishings, they discuss the ways in which Hospital-acquired Infections are transmitted which include contact, droplet, airborne, fecal-oral, and vector-borne modes of transmission. In response to this, hospitals furnish their spaces with specialized furnishings containing antimicrobials, hoping to reduce the risk of infection among patients, staff, and visitors.
Antibiotics are life-saving medications used to treat diseases and other medical conditions, however, overuse and misuse of these medications can do more harm than good. Overtime both animals and humans that have been given antibiotics can develop a resistance to them, requiring a stronger dose every time in order for them to be effective in fighting disease. The best way to address this issue is to prevent the development of this type of bacteria in the first place, which would mean regulating the use of antibiotics in livestock for nontherapeutic uses.
Hi Syria,
ReplyDeleteIt is a very interesting topic and important public health issue. Over use and misuse of antibiotics in animals and agriculture for non-treatment purposes raising rising threat of antibiotic resistance by increasing diseases outbreak. And I totally agree with you that how the hospitals should be set up in order to prevent patients, staff, and visitors from HAIs.
Thank you,
Sayed