Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and the longevity of the human race. It can affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
In this video we will focus on antibiotic resistance. If you want to learn more about how to use a certain antibiotic than check out my playlist here:
• Everything on Antibiot...
First of all antibiotics are medicines used to treat and prevent infections with microorganism, most often bacteria. There are many different types of antibiotics each working in a different way and effective in different types of bacteria. Now most commonly antibiotics destroy the cell wall or energy supply of bacteria or they prevent it from replication, all of these are very effective.
But bacteria can strike back. They are constantly replicating, which can naturally cause mutations that make them resistant to certain antibiotics. Misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals can also rapidly accelerating this process.
It is important here to note that the bacteria itself become antibiotic-resistant, and not we as humans. This is a constant struggle going on in the medical world. Where bacteria become increasingly immune, but we only have a limited supply of available antibiotics.
In recent years only very few new antibiotics have been developed. This is because our current antibiotics have been so effective at treating bacterial infections. There was no need for new antibiotics, which means pharmaceutical companies could not make much of a profit and therefore they didn’t spend all their time and resources finding new once.
But today, the story is quite different. More and more ”super” bacteria become resistant to one or more antibiotics, and our arsenal to fight them with (our antibiotics) is ageing.
Examples of these “super” bacteria are certain strains pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and salmonellosis
Worldwide it is estimated that we have about 700,000 deaths each year due to drug resistant infections. This may rise to as many as 10 million in 2050. The answer is seems simple, new and effective antibiotics are needed.
The impact of antibiotic resistance is enormous. It leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. It is putting the achievements of modern medicine at risk. Organ transplantations, chemotherapy and surgeries will become much more dangerous without effective antibiotics. Worst yet, without urgent action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill.
Now let’s end off this video positively. There is a solution. The world NEEDS to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics. Otherwise even new antibiotics can’t help us, because we keep allowing bacteria to become resistant.
We need to prevent misuse and overuse of antibiotics, as well as increase our infection prevention and control.
And here is what can you do:
- Only use antibiotics when prescribed by your physician.
- Never demand antibiotics if your physician says you don’t need them.
- Never share or use leftover antibiotics.
- And try prevent infections by regularly washing your hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practising safer sex, and keep your vaccinations up to date.
- Disclaimer: this video is meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -
Literature:
1: World Health Organisation. (2018). Antibiotic Resistance.
2: Dorrier J. (2020). AI Just Discovered a New Antibiotic to Kill the World’s Nastiest Bacteria.
* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only.
Music:
1. Wayne Jones, A Quiet Thought
2. Nate Blaze, Quiet Nights
3. DivKid, Dusk
4. Ikson, New Day
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Books I used In Medical School:
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry Seventh Edition, amzn.to/2PFGidh
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology 14th Edition, amzn.to/3inL6jM
Human Anatomy & Physiology (12th Edition), amzn.to/2DHlHCT
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties, amzn.to/3fU854s
Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine, amzn.to/31LfMVg
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, amzn.to/3ky73hZ
Janeway's Immunobiology, amzn.to/3gLZW3e
Atlas of Human Anatomy (Netter Basic Science), amzn.to/3afFe9c
Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards, amzn.to/2XSAMIN
The House of God, S. Shem, amzn.to/31I7HAU
Gear I use:
Camera: Canon EOS M50: amzn.to/33SNMSn
Microphone: Rode VideoMicPro: amzn.to/3amCmrh
Computer: Apple Macbook Pro: amzn.to/33PDEtu