Resistant bacteria

Why is the use of antibiotics in farming a concern for antibiotic resistance?

• Antibiotics are used in farming to prevent disease and promote growth in healthy animals.

• This overuse encourages the development of resistant bacteria that can spread to humans through the food chain.

• Bacteria in animals can evolve resistance and pass it on to humans, causing difficult-to-treat infections.

How can we prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

1⃣ Only use antibiotics when necessary – Avoid over-prescription and use them only for bacterial infections.
2⃣ Complete the full course of antibiotics – Ensure all bacteria are killed and none survive to develop resistance.
3⃣ Good hygiene – Wash hands regularly, especially before eating or after using the bathroom.
4⃣ Infection control in healthcare settings – Sterilize equipment, isolate infected patients, and ensure staff follow hygiene protocols.
5⃣ Educating the public – Raise awareness about the dangers of misuse and overuse of antibiotics.

What is MRSA, and why is it dangerous?

• is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, including methicillin.

• It can cause serious infections, particularly in hospitals or healthcare settings.

• It is harder to treat, leading to longer recovery times and higher risk of complications.

What factors contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

• Overuse of antibiotics – Over-prescription of antibiotics, especially when not necessary.

• Misuse of antibiotics – Not completing a full course of treatment, which allows bacteria to survive and evolve.

• Poor hygiene – Not washing hands or sterilizing medical equipment properly.

• Agricultural use – Overuse of antibiotics in farming to promote growth in animals can contribute to resistance.

How do resistant bacteria spread between people?

1⃣ Direct contact – Person-to-person transmission through physical contact.
2⃣ Airborne – Coughing and sneezing can release resistant bacteria into the air.
3⃣ Contaminated surfaces – Bacteria can live on surfaces for hours, leading to indirect transmission.
4⃣ Food and water – Contaminated food or water can carry resistant bacteria.
5⃣ Medical procedures – Poor hygiene during surgeries or injections can spread resistant bacteria.

What could happen if antibiotic resistance continues to increase?

• More deaths from infections that cannot be treated effectively.

• Common surgeries like organ transplants and cancer treatments may become riskier because of infections.

• Increased healthcare costs as hospitals and doctors must use more expensive, less effective antibiotics.

Why is antibiotic resistance a serious problem?

• Limited treatment options – There are fewer effective antibiotics available to treat infections.

• Longer illnesses – Infections that are harder to treat lead to longer recovery times.

• Increased risk of spread – Resistant bacteria can spread to others, making outbreaks harder to control.

• Higher medical costs – More treatments, longer hospital stays, and more intensive care.

How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

1⃣ Random mutation – A small number of bacteria may have a mutation that makes them naturally resistant to an antibiotic.
2⃣ Survival of the fittest – When exposed to the antibiotic, non-resistant bacteria die off, reducing competition for resistant bacteria and so resistant bacteria survive.
3⃣ Reproduction – The resistant bacteria reproduce, passing the resistance to their offspring.

What does antibiotic resistance mean?

• Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to become resistant to drugs that used to kill them.

• As a result, antibiotics become less effective in treating infections caused by these bacteria.