M6.6 Blog: Use of Antibiotics
Blog on your thoughts on each of these four articles in a single blog post.
Antibiotic Resistance 101: How Antibiotic Misuse on Factory Farms Can Make You Sick
Throughout reading this article, I was continuously surprised at the amount of antibiotics factory farms utilize for nontherapeutic use. I always think of antibiotics as being used in hospitals or veterinary clinics, but according to the article 80 percent of antibiotics in the United States are sold for agricultural purposes of disease prevention and growth promotion. This then creates antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria that can spread from the livestock to humans via food, via animal-to-human transfer on farms and in rural areas, and through contaminated waste entering the environment. Sadly, this misuse of antibiotics is affecting more and more of the general population, and causing otherwise healthy people to carry AR bacteria. This is dangerous because when individuals who carry AR bacteria become ill, the antibiotics that normally would work are no longer effective, potentially leaving few or no treatment options.
I was not surprised that the livestock industry (Industry) minimizes its role in antibiotic resistance. Why would the Industry admit to it? Admitting to it would mean that they are aware of the issue and that they are knowingly not doing anything to change it, thereby damaging their reputation with the public. Or, it would mean that the Industry would have to change their current practices. Either of these situations have the potential to cost the Industry profits that they do not want to lose.
I was not surprised that the livestock industry (Industry) minimizes its role in antibiotic resistance. Why would the Industry admit to it? Admitting to it would mean that they are aware of the issue and that they are knowingly not doing anything to change it, thereby damaging their reputation with the public. Or, it would mean that the Industry would have to change their current practices. Either of these situations have the potential to cost the Industry profits that they do not want to lose.
Nearby Livestock May Raise 'Superbug' Risk
Prior to this article, I had very limited knowledge pertaining to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and was unaware that this hard-to-treat type of staph bacteria had become resistant to common antibiotics. Similar to the previous article, this superbug is associated with the livestock industry. In the past MRSA was mostly linked to hospitals and other health care facilities, but currently most MRSA infections are obtained outside of these areas. Instead results from studies show that, "regional density of livestock is a key risk factor for nasal carriage of livestock-associated MRSA both for people who had direct contact with livestock and those who did not." Going forward, it will be imperative that further research take place to better understand the connection between livestock and MRSA.
Prior to this article, I had very limited knowledge pertaining to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and was unaware that this hard-to-treat type of staph bacteria had become resistant to common antibiotics. Similar to the previous article, this superbug is associated with the livestock industry. In the past MRSA was mostly linked to hospitals and other health care facilities, but currently most MRSA infections are obtained outside of these areas. Instead results from studies show that, "regional density of livestock is a key risk factor for nasal carriage of livestock-associated MRSA both for people who had direct contact with livestock and those who did not." Going forward, it will be imperative that further research take place to better understand the connection between livestock and MRSA.
Scientists Discover that Antimicrobial Wipes and Soaps May be Making You (and Society) Sick
My heart sank as I read through this article, because I too am guilty of using antibacterial wipes and hand soaps on a daily basis, just like 75 percent of American households. Without having any prior knowledge, I listened to all of the commercials and thought that in order to protect myself and my family I needed to use antibacterial chemicals to ensure that we do not get sick. Especially, during the cold and flu season. Now that I am aware of the fact that antibacterial products kill both the tourist (harmful), and native (beneficial) bacteria on our bodies, I have removed the antibacterial soaps in my house and have replaced them with regular soap. Additionally, I have removed any antibacterial wipes that I previously had. Also, by removing these products from our lives my family and I will no longer be placing antibacterial soaps and wipes down the drains that then travel to sewage treatment plants and into our water supplies.
My heart sank as I read through this article, because I too am guilty of using antibacterial wipes and hand soaps on a daily basis, just like 75 percent of American households. Without having any prior knowledge, I listened to all of the commercials and thought that in order to protect myself and my family I needed to use antibacterial chemicals to ensure that we do not get sick. Especially, during the cold and flu season. Now that I am aware of the fact that antibacterial products kill both the tourist (harmful), and native (beneficial) bacteria on our bodies, I have removed the antibacterial soaps in my house and have replaced them with regular soap. Additionally, I have removed any antibacterial wipes that I previously had. Also, by removing these products from our lives my family and I will no longer be placing antibacterial soaps and wipes down the drains that then travel to sewage treatment plants and into our water supplies.
A Report About the New Practice of Incorporating Antimicrobials into the Manufacture of Hospital Furnishings
On the surface, it makes sense to try to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Unfortunately, one of the ways that this is being done is by manufacturing healthcare furnishings that contain antimicrobial properties. According to the article, the idea behind this is that "these furnishings will reduce microbial burdens on product surfaces, and thereby lower HAIs." Similar to the previous article regarding antimicrobial wipes and soaps, the increase use of these furnishings have the potential to increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, as well as release antimicrobials into the environment that can have irreversible consequences. Much like the previous articles, additional research is needed to determine the exact risks and benefits that are associated with using antimicrobials in hospital furnishings. My fear is that too much damage will take place before studies are able to prove what we already suspect, which is that antimicrobial products are more harmful than they are helpful.
On the surface, it makes sense to try to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Unfortunately, one of the ways that this is being done is by manufacturing healthcare furnishings that contain antimicrobial properties. According to the article, the idea behind this is that "these furnishings will reduce microbial burdens on product surfaces, and thereby lower HAIs." Similar to the previous article regarding antimicrobial wipes and soaps, the increase use of these furnishings have the potential to increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, as well as release antimicrobials into the environment that can have irreversible consequences. Much like the previous articles, additional research is needed to determine the exact risks and benefits that are associated with using antimicrobials in hospital furnishings. My fear is that too much damage will take place before studies are able to prove what we already suspect, which is that antimicrobial products are more harmful than they are helpful.
Hello Angie! This is a great post! I think all these articles are very eye opening because there is not much knowledge about how the use of antibiotics is effecting us in the long term. Many people when they get sick get antibiotics to get better. They really do not think about what will happen if these antibiotics stop working.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I too agree that antimicrobial products are doing more harm than good, and now we are putting them into our furniture. What's next, our food, oh wait we're already doing that! It was very upsetting to me also to find out that antibacterial soap and wipes were making me and my family sick. It is going to be difficult for me to accept this, but it is important to the environment that we take things into our hands, even if it's little by little here and there. After all, it only takes one person to start a revolution of change.
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