Resistant Bacteria

• Why do bacteria evolve rapidly?


  Because they can reproduce every 30 minutes under ideal conditions
• What significant medical advancement began in the 1940s?


  The treatment of bacterial diseases using antibiotics
• What is the role of antibiotics?


  Antibiotics kill bacteria
• What is one common strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria mentioned?

  MRSA
• How does antibiotic resistance occur in bacteria?


  Through genetic variation due to mutations that allow some bacteria to survive antibiotics
• What happens to bacteria when an antibiotic is used?


  All bacteria are killed except for the resistant strain
• Why does the resistant strain of bacteria spread?


  Because people are not immune to it and there is no effective treatment
• What are the three ways to reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?


  • Avoid inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics
  • Ensure patients complete their course of antibiotics
  • Restrict the use of antibiotics in farming
• Why should antibiotics not be prescribed for viral infections?


  Because antibiotics have no effect on viruses
• What is the importance of completing a course of antibiotics?


  It ensures all bacteria are killed and none can survive to mutate
• What is a challenge in developing new antibiotics?


  It takes a long time and is extremely expensive
• Why is it unlikely that we will keep up with antibiotic-resistant bacteria?


  Because new antibiotic-resistant bacteria emerge all the time