Quote:
Originally Posted by Rathji
Of course it is an issue, but how long has it been an issue? 25-30 years that I can remember personally. I recall hearing it being an issue right from the initial use of antibiotics, and that has been quite a bit longer than that. Someone else could verify my vague understanding, though.
Does that mean it is a very slow developing issue? Or are we dealing with ways to avoid it by developing new drugs and changing the way drugs are prescribed?
Compare that to herbicides, the problem of resistant strains has been around for as long as I have understood what a herbicide was, so I wouldnt consider it a new thing, but maybe this isn't the same issue.
Anyone who knows more about the specific history of these 2 situations can feel free to clarify or correct me, I just recall very elementary details.
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As far as my understanding goes, it's more that resistant strains are found in the wild more and more, making containment and treatment more difficult. It used to be found primarily in health care settings, and maybe that's what you're referring to 25-30 years ago, but the big concern is that these strains are everywhere and becoming the norm, not the exception. While there are new antibiotics now and then there aren't a lot of them being created and some of them are fairly toxic to humans.
Most hospitals are resorting to screening incoming patients, especially in ICU where an infection would be more likely to kill someone. A lot of people are colonized with staph aureus, but more and more are colonized with MRSA, the resistant strain, including the health care professionals themselves.
It's a complex problem that is being contained at the moment, but has a very real risk of turning us into a 19th century medical system again without the ability to fight infection. What is considered a routine bladder infection today may end up destroying your kidneys tomorrow.
BTW, I don't want to compare the herbicide argument with antibiotics. That was the point of my post. I don't think they are on the same level in terms of public health.