Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance

When were antibiotics discovered?

1928 by Alexander Fleming; Penicillin

Fleming receiving Nobel Prize in 1945

What did people die from in early 1900’s?

Mostly infectious diseases – many caused by bacteria

Thanks to mass-production of antibiotics

How common is the use of antibiotics?

-1998, 80 million prescriptions filled in U.S. (12,500 tons)

- Additional 18,000 tons due to use in farm animals

So what happens with lots of antibiotic use?

Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics

(70% of bacteria which cause infections in hospitals are resistant to at least one antibiotic)

How big of a problem are antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

In 2005, more people died from MRSA (a multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria) than from AIDS.

Most are connected with a hospital stay, but 15% occurred in people with no known health risk.

How do bacteria become antibiotic-resistant?

Natural Selection

1.Genetic variation.2.Overproduction of offspring.3.Competition for resources.4.Those that survive can pass on genes.

How can we slow the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

1.Don’t take antibiotics for a viral infection.

2. Take entire prescription.

3. Don’t save antibiotics.

4. Don’t use somebody else’s medication.(old; not correct dose)