Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance develops in the same way that human resistance to infection develops—through exposure, the body builds up a resistance so that whatever is introduced is less effective at performing its task. As Ventola (2015) notes, “the overuse of antibiotics clearly drives the evolution of resistance. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between antibiotic consumption and the emergence and dissemination of resistant bacteria strains” (p. 277). Moreover, bacteria can inherent genes that are already resistant to antibiotics, which means that horizontal gene transfer occurs to create a veritable shield of defense against antibiotics. The more that antibiotics are used, the less effective they become and the stronger harmful bacteria can become. The complications that ensue are based on the fact that “when these resistant bacteria are all that are left, they are free to multiply, passing the resistance to their offspring” (Environmental Encyclopedia 4, 2011, p. 81). If bad bacteria become unable to be killed, the threat to human health becomes significant. Bacterial infections that might have been relatively harmless in the past could be life threatening as a result of the genetic mutations in the bacteria. In order to kill stronger bacteria, stronger antibiotics are needed, which are likely to have worse side effects. Treating urinary tract infections, for example, could become more difficult if resistance were to develop.
For that reason, it would be appropriate to decrease the use of antibiotics in humans and livestock animals and to focus on homeopathic ways to treat individuals. Antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary because of the risks of resistance developing. Utilizing homeopathic alternatives could be helpful in addressing the issue.
References
Environmental Encyclopedia 4. (2011). Cengage Learning, 80-82.
Ventola, C. L. (2015). The antibiotic resistance crisis: part 1: causes and threats.
Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 40(4), 277.
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