The Issue

How to solve it

Antibiotics are substances which slow down or stop the growth of bacteria. They are a vital part of modern healthcare.
Antibiotic resistance happens when an antibiotic loses its ability to control or kill bacterial growth because the bacteria
has gained resistance to the antibiotic and can still multiply in its presence. Antibiotic resistance is a pressing health
problem. It can make dangerous infections from once easily treatable illnesses. Bacteria which are Antibiotic-resistant
are more difficult to kill and can lead to serious impairment and even death.

There are several ways to prevent antibiotic resistance. Currently, scientists are trying to develop a new antibiotic
which “kills pathogens without detectable resistance”, however it is unreliable because it is yet to go through clinical
trials. Until such an antibiotic is discovered, we should use antibiotics in a way that will protect ourselves and our
community from antibiotic resistance. First of all, antibiotics should not be used unnecessarily; if you can make a full
natural recovery, then don’t use antibiotics. Also, don’t pressure your doctor into prescribing you antibiotics if they
don’t feel you need them. Secondly, ask a healthcare professional about vaccine recommendations for you to prevent
infections that require antibiotics to cure. Improving hygiene is also very helpful. By improving your hygiene general
health, you are less likely to need to use antibiotics.

Referenced websites

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zpn9q6f/revision/4
http://emerald.tufts.edu/med/apua/about_issue/antibiotic_res.shtml
http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journal/v13/n1/full/nrmicro3380.html
https://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/about/antibiotic-resistance-faqs.html

Ways in which antibiotics work Different types of http://www.drries.com/the-final-frontier-for-

antibiotics antibiotics/) (Image credentials)

There are various types of antibiotics which work in

several different ways. Here are two

different types of antibiotics with unique mechanisms of

action.

Bacteria relies on support from a cell wall and without it,
too much pressure from inside the cell is exerted and the
membrane bursts. Beta-lactams prevent the process of
cell wall building. They are used to treat a wide variety of
bacterial infections. Common examples of beta-lactams
include penicillin and cephalosporin.
Bacteria also relies on ribosomes to produce protein. A
bacterium cannot survive without protein. Macrolides
focus on the bacteria’s ribosomes. They block the
bacterial ribosomes, thus killing them. An example of a
macrolide is Erythromycin which is generally used to
treat skin infections.

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makingsciencepublic/2016/01/
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Mechanisms of resistance

How it is spread

Antibiotic resistance is a natural occurrence. However,
bacteria can also become resistance through genetic
mutation or by getting help from another bacterium.
Mutations are very rare, random changes to a bacteria’s
genetic material. Different genetic mutations give
bacteria different types of resistance. For example, some
mutations give bacteria the ability to produce enzymes
that deactivate antibiotics. Others manufacture pumping
mechanisms moving the antibiotic away from the
bacteria. If a bacteria survives long enough, it can gain
resistance to various different types of antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance can spread “horizontally” and
“vertically”. “Vertical” spread of resistance occurs when
new generations of bacteria inherit the genetics for
resistance whilst “horizontal” spread of genes occurs
when bacteria share genetic material with each other.
Coughing and lack of hygiene are common actions that
result in the spread of resistant bacteria throughout the
human population.

Antibiotic resistance is some types of Salmonella

infections is quickly increasing. Salmonella Enterica is a
bacterium causing diseases such as typhoid fever, food
poisoning and enteric fever. It infects 1.4 million
Americans per year approximately and is responsible for
50%+ of the US’ bacterial infections. It can be easily
prevented by regularly washing hands. Hygiene greatly
lowers your chances of being infected with Salmonella.