Superbugs

Thesis: Antibiotic resistance is no new problem. Alexander Fleming acknowledged that bacteria would learn to resist antibiotics when he first discovered penicillin. Bacteria did exactly what he said it would, but until now, the answer to resistance was upgrading to a higher dosage of an antibiotic or a stronger version of it. This is where the new problem lies: there are certain bacteria, known as superbugs, which have learned to defy even the strongest of antibiotics, and due to unawareness, the general public is increasing the problem by demanding antibiotics when they aren’t needed.

I. Antibiotic and anti-microbial resistance

a. Not a new problem-was just ignored for too long

b. How bacteria learn to defy antibiotics and anti-microbials

c. Disinfectants role in bacterial resistance (tricolsan is the main problem).

d. Development of superbugs

e. Vancomycin-why its no longer effective

II. New ways to fight superbugs

a. Honey, copper, and garlic-how they may help in combating superbugs

b. Bacteriophages and their role in fighting superbugs from the inside out

c. Developing vaccine

III. Education and Superbugs-What the general public needs to know

a. Doctors need to learn how to recognize a superbug when they see it and also need to be aware of proper treatment

b. Misuse of antibiotics and how doctors can teach patients to avoid it

c. Different types of superbugs

d. What MRSA is and how it affects your immune system

e. How to avoid contracting a superbug (good hygiene)