M6.6 - Use of Antibiotics

Antibiotic Resistance 101
I had no idea that antibiotics were used to a significant extent for agricultural purposes. I understand why industrial farms want to prevent disease and growth promotion, but they should do it in a natural and healthy way instead of using it antibiotics. The fact that humans then get sicker due to antibiotic resistance is scary. I hope that the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) and Prevention of Antibiotic Resistance Act (PARA) get passed.

Nearby Livestock May Raise Superbug Risk
I had thought that MRSA was the virus that you only can get through a hospital or health care facility. The fact that people can get it just by living close to livestock makes me wonder how dangerous all these viruses will be with easier transmission, and more antibiotic resistance in the future.

Antimicrobial Soaps & Wipes
"There was little evidence for an additional impact of new products, such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers or antibacterial soaps compared with non antibacterial soaps for reducing either gastrointestinal or respiratory infectious illness symptoms" I actually heard something about this study from one of my friends who's mother works at UCSF, and told me that anti whatever soaps aren't better or as effective in killing germs so just wash your hands with regular soap. I didn't really believe him until reading this article.

Antimicrobials in Hospital Settings
Shouldn't hospitals actually research the effectiveness of antimicrobials before purchasing and using anti microbial materials? I understand that it's purpose is to reduce the microbial load and therefore protect patients, families, workers, and more from health-care associated infections, but it seems that they should do more homework on it before using it, especially with multiple highly intelligent doctors and researchers around.


Comments

  1. Rudi HernandezOctober 10, 2018 at 10:43 AM

    Hey Matt!
    yeah, the MRSA situation was a huge eye opener to me as well. I wonder about the health of the farm families, ranchers, and fieldworkers who are around livestock often. Some, their whole lives.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Angela GOctober 10, 2018 at 11:17 PM

    Hi Matt,

    "Shouldn't hospitals actually research the effectiveness of antimicrobials before purchasing and using anti microbial materials?" Yes! great point. I also find the excessive AR use in agriculture/farming mind blowing and hope there can be more regulation if those acts pass.

    ReplyDelete

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