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Use of Antibiotics

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE 101: HOW ANTIBIOTIC MISUSE ON FACTORY FARMS CAN MAKE YOU SICK

It was very intriguing to read about antibiotic resistance among animals. Antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria can spread from farm animals to humans through food and through contaminated waste entering the environment. The most commonly affected populations are  pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with certain health conditions because they are the ones with under-developed or compromised immune systems. However, AR bacteria has the potential to affect anyone. I agree with the article that there needs to be some type of political action that bans nontherapeutic uses of antibiotics in livestock. 

NEARBY LIVESTOCK MAY RAISE 'SUPERBUG' RISK

I don't live near a livestock however, I have family members who do. It was compelling to learn about livestock-associated MRSA and the impact that is has on individuals. MRSA is a staph bacteria that is hard to treat and has become resistant to common antibiotics. With that being said, more people, especially those who live near a livestock need to be aware of this in order to prevent getting the "superbug."

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER THAT ANTIMICROBIAL WIPES AND SOAPS MAY BE MAKING YOU (AND SOCIETY) SICK

I am the person that wipes down a shopping cart with an antimicrobial wipe before using it. This entire time I thought I was being sanitary and pre-cautious about germs. This article taught that by using antimicrobia wipes and soaps, I am exposing myself to triclosan. A group of scientists found that triclosan kills "weak" bacteria but favors the tolerant, among them species of bacteria that eat triclosan. I had to read this several times to understand this. So basically we think these products are protecting us from bacteria but they really aren't. Interesting! 

A REPORT ABOUT THE NEW PRACTICE OF INCORPORATING ANTIMICROBIALS INTO THE MANUFACTURE OF HOSPITAL FURNISHINGS

I think there needs to be more awareness in regard to antimicrobials. Hospitals believe this agent kills microorganisms or stops their growth which decreases the risk of infections however, the benefits, risks, tradeoffs, and costs associated with their use are largely unknown. The release of antimicrobials an result in unwanted exposures to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems with adverse and sometimes unanticipated consequences. Therefore, antimicrobials need further consideration and evaluation. This agent is not really reducing healthcare-associated infections, it's actually exposing individuals to chemicals in an environment (hospital) that is suppose to make individuals healthy again. 


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