Antibiotic Resistance Imminent

[Blodss]

Just seen this on the news. Is it as frightening as it sounds?

[Blodss]

It seems that using the same antibiotics on animals as on humans has not helped. There are places in Asia that already are seeing a resistance to antibiotics. Once that happens globally disease could be plunged back into the dark ages with no cure.
Are there any bods out there who can tell us if this is as bad as the NHS nod WHO are saying?

[Fabraine]

I used to work in this area, on convincing patients not to demand antibiotics for every sniffle. It's a big task because of the belief it's a cure all!

Yes, resistant strains are getting the upper hand but I'm optimistic and don't think it's curtains for humans just yet.

[GlitteryFluff]

I want to google but there's no point in me knowing any more as there's nothing I can do about it and I'll just worry.
So many things are treated with antibiotics. Worrying stuff if there's no alternative.

[Blodss]

Have you seen the news on it today? They say that resistance already upon us. Thank you for your input PP. It's good to hear that it may not be as bad as it sounds

[Blodss]

Glittery it just came up on my new phone. Think I will find away to turn things off as like you say, there is no point worrying.

[MushroomMama]

I don't get it if I'm honest. I never bother taking the antibiotics does that mean I'm not resistant.

[Blodss]

No Mushroom it means that things that used to be killed with antibiotics will no longer respond so the disease itself will be resistant. I don't take antibiotics either

[foragogo]

Sme bacteria will already be resistant to some antibiotics (isnt penicillin completely useless now?) But there are lots of different antibiotics and presumably theyre constantly developing new ones? We do need to stopbtaking them will nilly of course but im not sure its a completely bleak picture yet is it?

[FannyFanakapan]

look here - they are still discovering new antibiotics in soil. There is hope

[PhilPhilConnors]

I don't understand how this has been ignored for so long.
I remember there being posters up in the surgery about not demanding ABs 20 years ago!

Many changes could have been made; higher welfare for farm animals which would lead to less need for routine ABs, tighter control within farming, drs not giving in to patients demands - a relative of mine goes to the gp when she's had a sore throat for a short time, and always comes out with ABs saying "I won't leave until I get them", but all of this continues. Madness.

[Jralli]

Blodss its not just places in Asia that are seeing resistance, we are witnessing it here in the UK with for example some strains of TB (which was previously treatable) now being resistant to antibiotics. A recent government review estimated that resistant infections could kill an extra 10 million people across the world every year by 2050 and a report yesterday by Public Health England noted that rising resistance to antibiotics routinely used to prevent patients getting infections during and after surgery will mean increased risk for operations such as caesareans, hip replacements and appendix removal, and also treatment for cancer patients, who are given antibiotics because chemotherapy drugs undermine their immune system. So I guess its is every bit as bad as the experts are saying!

I posted yesterday on AIBU because its actually World Antibiotic Awareness week and I was depressed that no-one seems to know of care!

Contrary to what you may thing there is lots we can do as parents to help, from not demanding antibiotics from our GPs, to ensuring that those in our care take them as prescribed, to practicing good hand hygiene see info mushroom its not you that becomes resistant, its the bacteria. Even if you don't take antibiotics you may become infected with a bacteria which is resistant, meaning it can't easily be treated.

[foragogo]

The antibiotics for sore throats was ridiculous! Someone i know would come out saying they thibk its a virus and have given me antibiotics!

I did a project on antibiotic resistance at university 20 years ago.

[Fabraine]

foragogo That's the problem, no new antibiotics have been discovered for ages and not enough money has been spent on this area. My knowledge may be out of date though, maybe the pharma industry has had a wake up call and has put funding in place.

It also needs a massive shift in attitude. There are plenty of countries (Europe and beyond) where you can get any antibiotic you fancy over the counter.

I've certainly noticed that the bugs are getting resistant. A few years ago I needed three lots of antibiotics to treat pneumonia. Still thankful the third lot worked or I may not be here!

It is sobering to think that in years to come any major surgery may kill you because of the lack of effective antibiotics.

[Fabraine]

xpost foragogo, I meant to comment on your first post.

[foragogo]

Arent they also creating synthetic antibiotics as well? I thought the problem was that they take many years to get through human trials so arent available yet. My knowledge also very out of date though, i could be wrong. Id have thought the massive pharm companies would be quite motivated on developing new ones though, given how much they will be used. Dunno though.

[MushroomMama]

Oh I see so the disease has mutated. Why haven't they been researching for new types? Is it funding or burying head in the sand?

I'm going to read up on this as I haven't had a clue about it all. I'm very wary of antibiotics anyway and have been offered on them many occasions and just don't bother filling the script. I got better it just took a little longer.

[Fabraine]

One of the reasons Pharma companies have not funded this is that any new antibiotics that are developed are kept as last resort treatments, so they can't flog them in the billions and cash in on it.

[foragogo]

oh, I see

[crossroadsinmylife]

You could live your life worrying about all of this sort of stuff. Just do your bit (don't take medications unecessarily) and stop worrying. You can't change the situation.

[Fabraine]

Funnily enough I do spend my time worrying about it crossroads and I also like to raise awareness to change the situation. For example the common misconception of 'I'm alright Jack' if you don't take antibiotics yourself, therefore thinking "you" won't be resistant to them. It's astonishing how many people believe this and don't realise it's the bugs that get resistant and you can be as blameless as you like and you may still die.

[crossroadsinmylife]

We all have to go sometime. That's life.