It seems that researchers at the University of North Carolina have discovered a drug that destroys even the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that kill thousands a year. This development could have a major impact on how people are treated for bacterial infections around the world. The new drug could be used to treat Methicillin-resistant staff infections, pneumonia and tuberculosis since a number of the current antibiotics no longer have an effect on the bacteria that cause such problems. The researchers even claim that their new drug prevents bacteria from spreading the genetic information necessary to form strains of resistant bacteria.
While I hope their discovery is true, natures innate ability to find a way to survive in any situation gives me doubts. Which raises another concern of the overuse of antibiotics by health care professionals. While such drugs are very important for saving lives, they are often times used too liberally throughout the population allowing new strains of bacteria to evolve that resist all treatment options. The question then arises, if this drug is passed and starts its rounds in treating bacterial infections, will it be overused creating new strains of even more powerful bacteria? We can only hope not and spread the word that using antibiotics for every minor problem is only going to hurt our chances of survival. This new drug does seem promising and perhaps it will rid us of such problems, providing a permanent option for the treatment of all kinds of bacterial infections.
Original Article: Researchers Fight Resistant Bugs
CDC Expands Campaign Against Overuse of Antibiotics
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