Resist Antibiotics
One night last December, my one-year-old son, Eli, awoke around midnight, crying uncontrollably. I wound up holding him for the entire night, as each attempt to lay him in his crib resulted in his siren scream. The next day the doctor diagnosed the cause of Eli's agony—an ear infection in each of his ears. We left the doctor's office with a prescription for amoxicillin, a common first-line antibiotic designed to destroy offending bacteria.
For ten days, I struggled to give Eli the medicine, finally resorting to mixing it with applesauce and an absurd amount of cinnamon. For ten days, Eli clung to me, showing little improvement, sleeping only a few hours before waking in hysterics. Back at the doctor, Eli still had fluid-filled ears. We left with another prescription, this time for a stronger antibiotic.
Flash forward seven weeks. Eli still had a double ear infection. He had now taken four courses of antibiotics, one of which caused his little body to break out in golf-ball sized hives. Still, the next treatment the doctor advised was yet another antibiotic, this time injected directly into his body. Antibiotics clearly weren't working, but as a mother, I was desperate to ease my child's pain.
It is true that antibiotics have proven effective in many situations, such as for treating strep throat that has been diagnosed by a culture. Therefore, prescribing an antibiotic is a sound first step for doctors. But Eli's story illustrates what should be startling but is unfortunately common—antibiotics are often prescribed to distressed patients even if the antibiotics are clearly not working. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, in 30 to 50 percent of cases, the antibiotic prescribed is either the incorrect antibiotic or is prescribed for the wrong amount of time. The time patients spend taking that antibiotic is time that they could spend being treated more effectively.
Not only do antibiotics often not work, resulting in unnecessary costs and side effects, they can lead to the formation of superbugs. A superbug is a microbe, or organism not visible to the naked eye, that is resistant to the effects of a drug. In many cases, superbugs are antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here's what happens. Scientists develop antibiotics that target specific types of bacteria (or in some cases, many types). Over time, the targeted bacteria changes, or develops a way to survive despite the antibiotic. The next time someone with this new, resistant bacteria takes the "correct" antibiotic, the resistant bacteria becomes stronger because, unfortunately, the antibiotic likely killed all the good, helpful bacteria, leaving the superbug to thrive. Every time someone uses an antibiotic is a chance for a resistant strain of bacteria to form or strengthen. In the United States, over 2 million people have fallen ill with superbugs. More than 23,000 have died. These numbers can only grow if we don't reevaluate how we use antibiotics.
Many patients, however, want to take some sort of action when they or their children are suffering. Unless there is a medical emergency or a clear indication that antibiotics are the best course of action, patients must consider the snowball effect of using antibiotics. Is aiding a superbug worth a small chance of relief? Or is exploring an alternative solution, or exercising patience and palliative care, the more responsible choice?
In addition to over-prescription of antibiotics to human patients, we need to reevaluate the routine use of antibiotics in agriculture. Many farmers regularly give antibiotics to their livestock, which, as with human antibiotic use, can lead to superbug formation. As a result, resistant bacteria make their way into human bodies through meat consumption and even through plant consumption (resistant bacteria from the animals' feces make their way into the soil and into crops). Farmers argue that the antibiotics keep their livestock healthy and promote livestock growth. Without hormones, farmers argue, livestock would require more food in order to gain weight, which would drive up the cost of meat and negatively impact the environment. But we as a society need to make a choice. Do we want to promote superbugs? Or do we want to pay more for meat? Do we want to invest in alternative farming methods, or do we want to all die in a few years? Convenience versus health: the choice seems obvious.
As a society, we need to reinvestigate and regulate antibiotic use. Without regulation, doctors will continue to prescribe antibiotics as they see fit. Antibiotics will become superbug energy-drinks faster than scientists can create new ones. Who knows how many superbugs were enabled by helpless Eli's recent antibiotic binge? Next time you find yourself or a loved one ill, educate yourselves before you go to the doctor, and make sure that taking an antibiotic is the absolute best course of action.
Watch the video.
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Question
Which information is common to both the essay and the video?
Responses
Antibiotic use in livestock causes resistant strains of bacteria to form.
Antibiotic use in livestock causes resistant strains of bacteria to form.
The way people use antibiotics, like taking them unnecessarily, contributes to the formation of superbugs.
The way people use antibiotics, like taking them unnecessarily, contributes to the formation of superbugs.
A virus, such as a cold or flu, cannot be effectively treated by taking an antibiotic.
A virus, such as a cold or flu, cannot be effectively treated by taking an antibiotic.
People around the world must take action to prevent superbugs.
People around the world must take action to prevent superbugs.
1 answer
The information common to both the essay and the video is:
The way people use antibiotics, like taking them unnecessarily, contributes to the formation of superbugs.
This statement aligns with the main points presented in the passage, which emphasizes how inappropriate or unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or superbugs.
1 answer
1 answer
1 answer
1 answer