Jun 11, 2013
While the word ‘Superman’ or ‘Superwoman’ denotes a pleasing fantasy of an all powerful savior, the term `Superbug is a reality that is dangerous for mankind. The superbug is a strain of an antibiotics resistant bacteria that has evolved over the years and for which at present there is no one drug to destroy it. the bacteria has developed antibiotics resistance. In fact, apart from the superbug itself, there are many other forms of antibiotic resistant bacteria that are fatal when contracted.
Research shows that it is the indiscriminate use of antibiotics the world over, including in developing counties such as those in South Asia, that has led to the current situation. A known researcher and doctor at the prestigious hospital Salpetriere in Paris confirmed that we were sitting on a time bomb. According to Maryn McKenna, author of Superbug, this is an epidemic waiting to happen and more serious than AIDS.
There are many reasons for certain strains of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. One obvious reason of course is over-the-counter distribution of antibiotics without any prescriptions. When there is a prescription, many doctors don’t hesitate in prescribing antibiotics as a precaution against other diseases leading to high doses. Often antibiotics are also prescribed for common cold. The other reason is that when patients take antibiotics some decide on their own to worry the doses according to how they feel. This leads to more variations in the effect the antibiotic can have on the human body.
Yet another important cause is animal feed. Many antibiotics are given easily and often indiscriminately to animals. in case of the meat being consumed, there is a direct absorption of the drugs but even in the case of milk and eggs high traces are found leading to humans developing an immunity to many antibiotics. In the absence of regulatory legislation, the dangers to human health are ever increasing. In 1998 the European Uni On banned the certain antibiotics in animal feed.However, in many countries like the US, antibiotics are freely used in the animal feed.
There is also an urgent need for greater awareness about the foods we consume. Organic foods Including organic milk that is not only pesticide free but also free from antibiotics should be encouraged. Unfortunately, in the western world, organic food is luxury. In India there is a movement and shift with affordable organic foods but the awareness is not enough.
During the course of the last few years since the discovery of penicillin, the doses of antibiotics administrated to humans has grown at an exponential pace. While antibiotics were discovered earlier, when first used during the second World War one dose of antibiotic was enough for a large battalion of soldiers over a period of one week. Today, the same dose is given to a child at one time for a common cold!
The term ‘antibiotic’ was first coined by the French bacteriologist Vuillemon and it means (anti) against (biosis) life. It is ironical that while antibiotics have been useful to humankind In the life threatening situations, today Its indiscriminate use may prove to be against human life itself.