More killer germs resisting world's antibiotics

[IDemo]

By Robert S. Boyd | McClatchy Newspapers
Monday, May 5, 2008

WASHINGTON — The threat of death-defying bacteria, stubborn organisms that refuse to be conquered by antibiotic medicines, is growing more alarming.

Infectious microbes that used to be able to resist only one drug, such as penicillin or methicillin, now resist multiple drugs. Some can survive virtually every weapon in doctors' medicine cabinets.

``This is very worrisome,'' said Stuart Levy, a microbiologist at Tufts University in Boston. ``In many cases, there might be only one or no drugs to treat (an infection). We are not keeping up with the bacteria.''

Two troubling recent developments:

* Some bacteria have acquired the ability to ``eat'' the very antibiotic medicines that are supposed to eat them.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/35903.html

[kimmerspixelated]

1. The Madness of Big Pharma ! The gift that keeps on giving!

[hogwyld]

2. Not to defend big Pharma, but the real problem

Is all of the other developing countries massive overuse of antibiotics for stupid shit like the flu, and peoples ignorance in stopping their medication when they feel better instead of completing the cycle.

[ananda]

4. Oh and I suppose..

.. Americans never misuse or overuse
antibiotics. lol

[hogwyld]

10. Definitely not to the same extent

At least here, you have to get a prescription from a doctor, while in a LOT of countries that I have traveled to, it's available to anyone, and doesn't need a prescription. For a scary example, I personally know someone in China that thinks they're like vitamins, and periodically "tops up" to stave off sickness.

[Nihil]

15. Hah!

You're forgetting all of those lovely antibiotics that are being
pumped into all meat (other than that from organic farms).
:hi:

[RC]

5. Giving antibiotics to livestock for just in case.

Most of these antibiotics end up in the ground and our streams and rivers.

[phantom power]

3. what could go wrong?

:facepalm:

[stray cat]

6. People have forgotten that without antibiotics everyday bacteria can kill you

and a sore throat can rapdily become a death sentence

[4_TN_TITANS]

9. Everyday bacteria schmacteria...

Being allergic to penicillan has been a lifelong blessing in disguise. Where I couldn't be pumped full of that crap, I've fought off everything for 37 years with my - get this - OWN immune system. Consequently, I'm rarely sick and what might be a common cold for me is the 'someone please shoot me' flu for someone else. Haven't had the flu or a flu shot since '91.

[kimmerspixelated]

12. Touche'!!!!!

[kimmerspixelated]

13. People have also forgotten, that the body is truly

miraculously equipped to fight off ANYTHING given the proper nutrients.

[Zachstar]

7. Many of this crap happens when people do not properly use antibiotics

When the germs get exposed to half assed doses of medicine they develop a resistance that is passed on. Quickly they spread and then you got a germ that is resistant.

This is VERY bad in places where people take antibiotics for just about anything that gets them sick.

[phantom power]

8. you mean, places like "everywhere?"

[The2ndWheel]

11. Goddamn evolution

If only it worked in a linear fashion toward something.

[LynzM]

14. Heh.

It does - "survival." The universe just didn't happen to specify "survival of humans," which we tend to dislike...