Super bugs - can they be stopped

The term super bugs was originally coined “by the media to describe bacteria that cannot be killed using multiple antibiotics.”

Super bugs - can they be stoppedHowever, “doctors often use phrases like ‘multidrug-resistant bacteria’ rather than ‘superbug.’ That’s because a superbug isn’t necessarily resistant to all antibiotics.”

Superbugs aren’t specific types of bacteria; all bacteria species can turn into superbugs. “Misusing antibiotics (such as taking them when you don’t need them or not finishing all of your medicine) is the single leading factor contributing to this problem, the CDC says.

The concern is that eventually doctors will run out of antibiotics to treat them. Or worse, they won’t react to antibiotics at all. “When used properly, antibiotics can help destroy disease-causing bacteria.

But if you take an antibiotic when you have a viral infection like the flu, the drug won’t affect the viruses it will make you sick.

Instead, it’ll destroy a wide variety of bacteria in your body, including some of the ‘good’ bacteria that help you digest food, fight infection, and stay healthy.

Super bugs bacteria that are tough enough to survive the drug will have a chance to grow and quickly multiply. These drug-resistant strains may even spread to other people.

Over time, if more and more people take antibiotics when not necessary, drug-resistant bacteria can continue to thrive and spread. They may even share their drug-resistant traits with other bacteria. Drugs may become less effective or not work at all against certain disease-causing bacteria.

Authors: Muhammad Shafi Hasni, Muhammad Kasib Khan, Muhammad Nadeem, Zaheer Abbas

  1. Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad-Pakistan

*Corresponding author email: shafi.hasni@gmail.com

By Shafi hasni

PhD Scholar