The development of antibiotics in the early 20th century was arguably one of the most important medical developments in modern medicine.
Almost a hundred years later, antimicrobial products are everywhere – soaps, sprays, sponges, toothpastes, textiles, and even used in the production of our food.
There are so many anti-what-have-yous that are used seemingly interchangeably that it’s easy to get all mixed up on what you’re actually buying.
Antibacterials do exactly what they sounds like they do. They inhibit or destroy bacteria, whereas antimicrobials inhibit or kill bacteria and mold.
Disinfectants kill or inhibit microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), where antiseptics are typically used for treating skin abrasions to help prevent infection.
The promotion of antimicrobial everything has played on our-the consumer’s- fear of getting sick and our lack of knowledge regarding bacteria and antimicrobial products.
No one likes getting sick, and no one likes eating things that could get them sick. So, it makes sense to stock up on antimicrobial house cleaning products and pick up meats that were fed antibiotics pre-slaughter and treated with ammonia post-slaughter.
The inhumane conditions that the animals were forced to go through that would result in the use of antibiotics aside, that all would make sense if antibiotic resistance was not a thing.
Just like how humans and other animals build up a resistance from certain illnesses, so can bacteria. Bacteria, unlike humans, can evolve into various strains relatively fast to the point where it can be resistant to various antibiotics.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Antibiotic resistance can cause illnesses that were once easily treatable with antibiotics to become dangerous infections, prolonging suffering for children and adults.â€
It is estimated that 700,000 people die yearly due to antibiotic resistance, and that number could reach 10 million annually by 2050, according to Science Alert.
The main perpetrators for the rise in antibiotic resistance? Mainly the agricultural industry, but over prescription, and overuse in household products are other ways bacteria gain a resistance to antibiotics.
The agricultural industry administers antibiotics to their animals due to the poor living conditions they are kept in, along with overspraying their crops to prevent loss of yield. Doctors tend to prescribe antibiotics when they’re not necessarily needed (i.e- virus caused, instead of bacterial) as a “just incase†measure, and corporations prey on our fear of getting sick by including anti-everything in almost everything.
Taking on the agricultural industry misuse of antibiotics has been an ongoing issue, so instead of detailing ways on how to resist The (agricultural) Man, but there are ways we can reduce our impact on antibacterial resistance.
Get vaccinated. Vaccines increase our immunity towards viral illnesses, and that lowers our chances of ending up in the doctor’s office where we might get prescribed an antibiotic we don’t need.
Finish your prescription. Typically when you get prescribed antibiotics, you start to feel better after a little while and you may consider not finishing your prescription.
You may not be totally out in the clear yet, even though you may start feeling better. By not finishing the prescription, the still living disease-causing bacteria inside you would have gained a resistance to the currently prescribed antibiotics.
Opt for antibiotic-free products. Your money wouldn’t be going towards corporations that aid in antibiotic resistance. Most bacteria are harmless, and our immunity depends on exposure to build resistance.
Many times we are distracted by the dangers that we can see around us, but sometimes it’s the seemingly little things that can pose the most danger.
James Cantu
Opinions Editor
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