In the ongoing battle between humans and harmful bacteria, those wily bugs are gaining the upper hand.
In the last few months, scientists have reported finding E. coli that are resistant to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, twice in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recently reported that Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes the sexually transmitted disease, might soon be untreatable.
Superbugs are bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics in our arsenal, making it difficult and costly to treat diseases that were previously cured by a regimen of pills. Some bacterial strains, such as Clostridium difficile and MRSA, are resistant to most, if not all, available antibiotics.
But how do they do they survive the barrage of antibiotics that we constantly shoot their way?
The answer lies in tiny changes to their DNA. These small mutations can upgrade their defenses, giving them better shields or allowing them to make weapons that can break down antibiotics. And if we keep giving the bugs opportunities to evolve resistance by using antibiotics against them without restraint, superbugs may well become invincible one day.
About the Author Reprints
What is totally ignored is the fact that antibiotics are not the sole means of getting well when a bug hits. Today a patient enters the office feeling ill, with a nose full of pus. They leave feeling ill with a nose full of pus and three prescriptions. Yet, it takes the assistant 3 minutes to perform a pulsed nasal/sinus irrigation and remove a % of those bacteria and open the airway. Maybe they won’t need the antibiotic then? What about honey for sore throat and coughing? That also lowers bacteria count. Green tea to stimulate nasal cilia works well.
Actually my miracle cure for the common cold is best: Netflix. Go home, into bed or sofa, watch a funny movie, drink lots of green tea and chicken soup. Humor raises immunity, as does relaxation. The % of patients feeling better next day compares well to using the sprays, pills, antibiotics, etc.
Let’s write more about non-antibiotic therapies that have a scientific basis.
Perfect. Loved your article.
And when all else fails/
Snack , nap and juicebox..