7 Reasons Why You Should Never Take An Antibiotic Again

Antibiotics kill the bad bacteria that make us ill. By curing and preventing infections they’ve saved countless lives. They make most modern day surgeries possible.
Because they are so awesome they’ve been used recklessly, indiscriminately, and unnecessarily. Now, absolutely terrifying and all too real is the possibility of an antibiotic resistant superbug.

7 Reasons To Fear Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs:

1. Because they could kill more than cancer…

Because of antibiotic resistant bacteria it is estimated that by 2050, over 10 million people will die each year, two million more than currently die of cancer. Considering how little time we spend thinking about the problem that’s a sobering thought.

2. Because they could completely undermine most of modern medicine…

Also the reason why it could be so catastrophic is the cause of the problem. If they were to lose their effectiveness because the use of antibiotics is so widespread, the effects would be similarly widespread. Routine procedures could become immeasurably more risky. Simple cuts and scrapes far more dangerous. Giving birth would once again be perilous.

3. Because we’re only making the problem worse with misuse…

It is estimated that half of all antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary. To simply allay patients’ fears they are often prescribed, even when it is known for certain that they can’t possibly help, as in the case of bronchitis and viral illnesses.

4. Because we aren’t making newer antibiotics fast enough…

In the antibiotic game there isn’t a lot of money to be made. Rather than chronic, indefinite conditions they are only used to treat short, temporary illnesses.
Few have been produced in the past few years and there are even fewer in the works as a result that there is no real incentive for drug companies to invest a great deal of time and money into making new antibiotics.

5. Because big food companies cut corners…

Supposedly some giant food chains are making changes, notably Chipotle, Panera Bread and McDonald’s, but they don’t go nearly far enough. Rather than beef they only serve antibiotic free chicken, and their policies only affect human antibiotics while animal antibiotics are still permitted.
Unfortunately, between species resistance can jump and most of us are buying hamburgers anyway. We should continue to press for fewer antibiotics in all meat and not settle for half-measures.

6. Because the agriculture industry is getting in the way…

For reasons other than treating illness antibiotics continue to be used on farms. To speed along the evolution of antibiotic resistant strains as weaker bugs die out, while the strong survive they are used to promote growth and to prevent illness.

Four times without success congress has tried to pass a bill to stem their use. The agriculture lobby is simply too well funded despite widespread support.

7. Because we can’t seem to get it together…

Long known was the idea that a superbug could be created. We aren’t producing new ones at a quick enough pace because we know that antibiotics are used too liberally. The Obama administration and the World Health Organization are well aware that something needs to be done.
To people and to animals antibiotics continue to be overprescribed. And we continue to set the stage for the arrival of an antibiotic resistant superbug that could kill more than cancer – an absolutely terrifying thought.