What We Need to Know about Antibiotics and Superbugs
By Sandy Schroeder
For some time our doctors have been telling us to only take antibiotics when we have to so they won’t lose their power when superbugs show up. We have become more and more dependent on antibiotics and sometimes demand them for ourselves or our families. But now the picture is changing. The volume has been turned up and the message is loud and clear. The superbugs are here.
A Global Health Crisis
Resistance to antibiotics has reached the crisis stage around the globe because of antibiotic overuse, according to EasyHealthOptions.
Bacteria naturally adapts to the drugs that have been designed to solve the problem. The standard antibiotics that we have come to depend upon lose their power against superbugs like Staphylococcus aureus, known as staph, and MRSA, a superbug strain of staph.
Looking Closer at the Superbugs
Staph causes boils, impetigo and abscesses, along with food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.
MRSA is a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Boils, open sores, rashes and carbuncles are all symptoms of MRSA, which can spread to other organs triggering gangrene, endocarditis (heart valve infection) or necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) that destroys soft tissue. Now the scary headlines are becoming much more real as we encourage the development of new antibiotics, and learn how to protect ourselves and our families.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
- Use antibiotic cream and bandages on all cuts and scrapes.
- Wash hands after bathroom use
- Keep bathrooms and kitchens dry and clean
- Wear rubber gloves when cleaning bathrooms
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
- Make sure all of your health providers wash their hands
- Wash your hands when dealing with pet blood, saliva or feces which can carry MRSA
- Use precautions to avoid touching any skin infections or broken skin
- When shopping, buy antibiotic-free poultry or meat
- Use regular soap instead of antibacterial to avoid the dangerous chemical Triclosan
If You Do Take Antibiotics
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, follow through with precautions.
- Finish prescriptions to kill all of the bacteria
- Never share antibiotics to avoid side effects, drug interactions, and more use
- Safely discard any long-term antibiotics that are not needed
- Talk with your doctor about prescriptions and the best overall precautions for dealing with antibiotics
Stay informed on the latest outbreaks and developments in superbugs, new drugs and epidemics. The health of your family and yourself depends on a fast, focused response to the antibiotic issue and emerging superbugs. Ask questions, pay attention and respond to any immediate situations in your home, at work, or in your community.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Euless, Tex.